Paul Waugh MP welcomes record Labour investment to fix Rochdale’s roads and cut potholes
Paul Waugh, Member of Parliament for Rochdale, has welcomed the Labour Government’s record boost for road maintenance — a national package that will fix millions of potholes, prevent new ones forming, and support safer, smoother journeys across Greater Manchester.
The Government has doubled the annual roads cash available to councils, part of a £7.3 billion programme announced in the Budget. Local authorities will use this funding to identify the roads most in need of repair and deliver immediate improvements for residents and businesses. This is the biggest-ever national investment in basic road maintenance.
Rochdale will receive its share through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority allocation, which is part of the new, transparent national funding model.
The Government is also more than tripling the share of local roads funding tied to transparency standards — from 8% to over 30% of the national pot — meaning over £500 million is now linked to councils publishing clear maintenance data and applying best practice.
Paul Waugh MP said:
“At the election, Labour promised to fix an extra million potholes a year — and this Budget delivers. For years, people in Rochdale have put up with deteriorating roads, delays and the cost of vehicle repairs. We’re finally putting our money where our mouth is.
“This investment means better journeys for residents, safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians, and real improvements for local businesses that rely on good transport links. It shows the difference a Labour government makes: practical action that people will feel every day.”
He added:
“Well-maintained roads keep communities connected and the economy moving. By doubling road-repair funding and insisting on higher transparency from local authorities, the Government is making sure every pound is spent where it is needed most.”
Councils will begin using the new funding immediately, with further detailed local allocations set to be published in the coming weeks.