On 26 March 2026, Cat Smith, the MP for Lancaster and Wyre, demanded the government take faster action to fix dangerous potholes in Lancaster, Lancashire, during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions. She questioned why local roads are still in poor condition despite the county receiving nearly £47 million in government funding to improve the highway network.
This funding represents a 50 percent increase in the money available for road maintenance in the area. The MP highlighted that many people are still dealing with frustrating road damage every day and said residents deserve to know where the money is being spent. She noted that broken roads affect everyone in the community, including drivers, cyclists, and local businesses.
The roads are currently managed by Lancashire County Council, which has been under the control of a Reform UK majority since May 2025. Council officials admit that the roads are in a terrible state but have pointed out that the total cost to fix all local highway problems is estimated at £650 million. They claim that while the extra government cash is helpful, it is not enough to clear the massive repair backlog.
The situation in Lancashire reflects a growing national crisis, with a recent report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance stating that the total cost to fix every broken road in England and Wales has reached £18.6 billion. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to the MP by stating that his government has committed record levels of investment to help fix up to seven million potholes. He added that councils must be held accountable for how they spend this public money to ensure roads are made safe for families.
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