Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig has launched a £60 million Pothole Fund dedicated to repairing roads and footpaths across every borough in the city-region. Capable of restoring more than one million square metres—approximately 125 kilometres—of road surface, the investment aims to improve local infrastructure for the 2.5 billion journeys taken annually by drivers, public transport users, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The Greater Manchester £60 million Pothole Fund
The Pothole Fund for Greater Manchester will enhance road safety through targeted hotspot repairs and proactive resurfacing. Potholes and damaged surfaces pose significant risks to all road users—including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—and are largely caused by cold and wet winters, more traffic, and heavier vehicles using the roads.
The £60 million fund is set to provide a significant financial boost to Greater Manchester’s 10 local councils, distributed via an agreed allocation formula. Notably, this funding exceeds the total annual road and pavement maintenance grant these councils collectively receive from central government. Sourced from a reallocation of the city-region’s broader transport budget, the package fulfills Mayor Bev Craig’s manifesto pledge to repair damaged roads and ensure pedestrian safety.
How much of the Pothole Fund will each Greater Manchester borough receive?
The allocations, rounded to the nearest £000, will be as follows:
- Bolton: £6,552,000
- Bury: £4,374,000
- Manchester: £8,155,000
- Oldham: £5,258,000
- Rochdale: £5,243,000
- Salford: £5,388,000
- Stockport: £6,820,000
- Tameside: £4,980,000
- Trafford: £4,992,000
- Wigan: £8,241,000
“Keeping our roads and pavements safe and well maintained is essential for a growing city region like Greater Manchester”
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Keeping our roads and pavements safe and well maintained is essential for a growing city region like Greater Manchester. That’s why I promised to create this new Pothole Fund that will benefit drivers and everyone who uses our roads to get around.
“Properly maintaining our roads will save motorists money on costly repairs. And by preventing potholes forming in the first place, councils won’t have to spend as much money on emergency road repairs.
“This issue came up repeatedly on the doorstep during my election campaign so I’m pleased that I can do something about it so quickly, building on the significant work already planned by councils across Greater Manchester. It’s all part of my commitment to make getting around Greater Manchester easier, safer and more reliable, no matter how people choose to travel.”
“With this extra support, we can make real improvements that will benefit our communities.”
Today [2 September], the Mayor of Greater Manchester visited Trevor Road, a residential street in Eccles, where resurfacing work is underway. The new Pothole Fund will be used to fund projects right across the city region, from smaller streets to major commuter routes.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “Our residents deserve roads and pavements that are safe, reliable and fit for a growing city. This investment gives us the means to fund repairs, prevent future deterioration and improve everyday journeys for everyone who lives, works or travels through Salford. It’s a welcome boost that will help us keep our communities connected and support the city’s continued growth.
“With this extra support, we can make real improvements that will benefit our communities. Maintaining and improving our highways network is not simply about fixing potholes – it is about supporting our economy, connecting communities and making sure our streets are fit for the future.”
