Motorways and roads get £24bn boost – does this mean an easier commute?
June 11, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Good news for drivers – your commute’s about to get a lot smoother. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a £24bn plan to upgrade motorways and local roads as part of the 2025 Spending Review. Here’s what you need to know.
If you’re fed up with potholes, delays, and bumpy commutes, relief could be on the way. The government has just announced a huge £24bn plan to improve motorways and local roads across England between 2026 and 2030.
The investment, revealed in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review, is one of the largest in recent memory and promises to make your everyday drivers smoother, safer, and a whole lot less stressful.
What’s changing on the roads?
The funding will go directly into:
- Fixing worn-out roads and potholes to help protect your car and make driving smoother.
- Widening busy parts of the motorway to ease bottlenecks and cut down on traffic jams.
- Boosting safety with clearer signs, better lighting, and improved barriers.
- Upgrading junctions and roundabouts to keep traffic moving in high-stress spots.
Where’s the money going?
The money will be split between National Highways (which looks after major roads and motorways) and local councils, giving both the support they need to plan and deliver long-term upgrades.
Instead of just patching things up short-term, this approach means we’ll see more meaningful improvements, making everyday journeys smoother and more reliable.
“This is great news,” said RAC’s Head of Policy, Simon Williams. “We’ve been calling for long-term funding for local roads for years, and now councils have a real chance to break the cycle of just filling potholes and actually get ahead on maintenance.”
Williams added that it’s now up to councils to make the most of this opportunity, and show drivers that the roads they rely on are genuinely improving.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can also sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
But why now, and when will drivers see the changes?
Drivers have had a rough time lately with bumpy roads, aging infrastructure, and more traffic than ever. The government says this new funding will help “build a transport network fit for the future” – not just for cars, but for emergency services, freight, and public transport too, all of which rely on roads every day.
Work is set to pick up from 2026, and you should start seeing things like smoother roads and better junctions not long after. There might be some short-term delays while the work’s going on, but the goal is to make your journeys quicker, protect your car from damage, and keep everyone safer on the road.
A road boost is great, but what about the electric future?
While the £24bn investment in roads and motorways is welcome news, many in the car industry say the government’s spending review needs to go further – especially when it comes to supporting electric vehicle (EV) adoption and public charging infrastructure.
Iain Reid, Head of Editorial at Carwow, highlights the growing appetite for EVs among UK drivers. “Between May 2024 and May 2025, we saw a 77% jump in enquiries for BEVs,” he said. “People want to switch to electric, but they need the right policies to make it affordable and practical. That means everything from buying incentives to scrapping VAT on public charging.”
Reid explains that this isn’t just about helping drivers go green. “It’s about protecting jobs, attracting investment, and hitting our net zero goals. Carmakers are seeing this shift too – new players such as BYD and Jaecoo are shaking up the market, proving EVs are no longer niche, but they’re not mainstream yet.”
One of the biggest hurdles? Cost and convenience. “Right now, it’s cheaper to charge your EV at home than at a public station,” said Reid. “That’s unfair and unrealistic for millions living in flats or cities without off-street parking.” He argues that equalising VAT on home and public charging and cutting the cost of buying EVs would give drivers the confidence they need to make the switch.
Read Carwow’s ‘Future of Motoring Manifesto’ to find out more here.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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