Lib Dem-Run Devon County Council Delivers £3 Million Repair Fund for Devon’s Roads

Following extreme weather and storms this winter which caused significant damage to roads across Devon, Liberal Democrat-run Devon County Council announced a £3 million funding boost to help fix potholes and speed up repairs.

This funding has been freed up following the agreement the Council reached with the government to write off most of Devon’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) debt. 

Devon has one of the largest local road networks managed by a local authority in England, with around 8,000 miles of roads to maintain, and Devon County Council say that the number of reported potholes in February 2026 was 9,700; 90% higher than the same period in 2025.

The additional £3 million will help speed up repairs and support the work of highway teams who are already operating across Devon to deal with the backlog of defects.

Liberal Democrat County Cllr Ed Tyldesley said: 

“People across North Devon know how tough this winter has been on our roads. Storms, freezing temperatures and relentless rain have taken their toll, and residents are seeing the damage every day on the roads they rely on for work, school and everyday life.

"We are seeing more frequent extreme weather. As predicted, global climate change has knocked our seasons out of balance. Heavy rainfall and repeated freezing and thawing put huge pressure on road surfaces, especially on a rural network like Devon’s.

“For too long has the network been underfunded and just patched-up. This additional £3 million shows that the Council are adapting to what is happening across the county and giving our highways teams more resources to respond. They have been working incredibly hard in difficult conditions, and this extra investment will help repair more potholes and keep Devon moving.”