Mayor Richard Parker attempts to regain voter traction on this key local issue
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has announced plans to double funding for pothole repairs and road resurfacing across the region.
The proposal would provide £240 million to six councils – Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton – to cover highway maintenance over five years starting from April 2027.
This is double the £120 million allocated for the current five-year period. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board said it will consider approving the £240 million package at its meeting tomorrow (Friday February 13).
In 2025 Mr Parker secured an extra £20 million from the Department for Transport to boost council road repair budgets for 2025-27, enabling thousands more potholes to be filled while the longer-term funding is awaited.
Winter has been brutal, causing more potholes
Parker said: “This winter has been brutal on our highways, forcing drivers to navigate thousands of potholes, cracks and deep craters. They aren’t just an inconvenience; they are costing motorists a fortune in repairs and putting cyclists at serious risk.
“People across the West Midlands tell me that the lack of investment in our roads is one of their top frustrations, and I share that frustration. So we’re making road repairs a top priority by doubling our investment, providing our councils with the funding they need to ensure smoother, safer journeys for everyone.”
Additional funding is also planned for smaller-scale schemes, including pedestrian crossings, pathways and junction improvements, with an emphasis on enhancing road safety and promoting walking, wheeling and cycling.
£2.4bn regional transport pot
The pothole funding increase forms part of a broader review of transport spending to maximise the impact of the £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions allocation secured by the mayor last summer.
This review aims to align investment in trams, trains, buses, roads, cycling and walking with priorities such as supporting jobs, business growth and new housing, while improving travel across the region.
