Somerset Council Invests £5m in Road Maintenance, but Potholes Remain Unaddressed

Somerset Council has announced a £5 million investment aimed at improving the visible condition of roads and pathways across the county—though the funding will not be used to repair potholes.

The council’s executive approved the plan earlier this month, committing £2 million in the current financial year and a further £3 million over the following two years. The initiative focuses on what officials describe as “high-visibility” issues, including clearing blocked drains, cutting back overgrown vegetation, replacing damaged signs, and refreshing road markings.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said the programme responds directly to concerns raised by residents. While safety remains a priority, he emphasised that the everyday appearance and usability of roads and pavements are also important to local communities.

The funding replaces an earlier £350,000 allocation from the Somerset Rivers Authority for gully clearing, with that budget expected to be redirected. Of the £2 million set aside for this year, half will come from underspent funds from the previous budget, while the remainder has been allocated within the current financial plan.

Delivery of the work will be split between in-house teams and external contractors. Vegetation management will be handled directly by the council, while tasks such as gully clearing and road marking on major routes will be carried out by Kier under its existing contract. Some of the funding may also be used for removing litter and graffiti, with input from local parish and town councils.

Mike O’Dowd-Jones, the council’s service director for infrastructure and transport, noted that existing funding has largely been directed toward safety-critical repairs. He said the additional investment allows the council to expand its efforts and address broader concerns about the condition of the local environment.

Despite the increased spending, the absence of dedicated pothole funding may raise questions among residents, as road surface defects remain a key concern across the region.