'Significant cost pressures' to address potholes

An enormous backlog of pothole and footpath repairs needed across Newcastle now tops £250m worth of work.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

New estimates from Newcastle City Council say that it would cost just over £251m to return its roads and pavements to an "acceptable standard".

Announcing £1.6bn would be handed to local authorities to fix potholes in 2025/26, Sir Keir Starmer told councils in March to "get on with the job, put that money to use and prove they're delivering for their communities".

But only £21.7m is coming to the North East - less than a 10th of Newcastle's need alone. That allocation was to be distributed across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham by mayor Kim McGuinness.