In key net-zero move, govt funds EV retrofit on local roads

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Today we report on a major funding announcement from the UK Government pledging to ensure that road maintenance funding is felt in every part of England.

Net Zero News can reveal that on 1 December the UK Government confirmed it will ensure the £7.3 billion announced in the Autumn Budget for local roads is deployed across England. The funding, announced by Chancellor in the Budget statement, is intended to support local highway authorities in maintaining and improving county and borough roads.

This commitment follows growing concern over the condition of local roads and their role in connecting communities, enabling sustainable travel and supporting low-carbon transport options. Local highways have faced years of underinvestment, leading to potholes, surface degradation and safety risks. By ring-fencing this allocation, the Government aims to give councils certainty over funding streams and encourage long-term asset management, reducing the need for reactive repairs.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, better-maintained roads can help reduce congestion and journey times, supporting more efficient movement of public transport, freight and private vehicles. Smoother pavements and carriageways not only enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians but also facilitate the rollout of greener transport modes, minimising emissions from idling and stop-start traffic.

Net Zero News understands this forms part of a broader strategy to decarbonise the transport network. The funding will flow from HM Treasury to the Department for Transport, which will work with local authorities in counties, metropolitan boroughs and unitary councils across England. Local highways teams will be responsible for allocating resources to pressing maintenance tasks, from surface retexturing to drainage improvements.

This investment arrives alongside existing national policies such as the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which set out frameworks for cutting emissions, boosting active travel and improving connectivity. It also dovetails with the UK’s legally binding commitment to reach net-zero by 2050 under the Climate Change Act and supports Local Transport Plans being developed by councils to meet regional climate targets.

Communities stand to benefit from safer, more reliable roads that can accommodate electric buses, bicycles and zero-emission delivery vehicles. The construction and maintenance sector also anticipates job creation and supply-chain opportunities as councils commission works and procure materials. However, local authorities will need to balance competing demands for funding, ensure value for money and deliver tangible outcomes before the next spending review.

Looking ahead, the Department for Transport will issue guidance to councils on programme delivery, setting milestones for expenditure and reporting on progress. Local authorities are expected to publish updated road maintenance plans, with financial allocations confirmed in early 2025, rolling out projects throughout the coming fiscal year.

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