New data confirms that Conservative-led councils are outperforming their opposition-run counterparts when it comes to road repairs, delivering better results for taxpayers. Devon County Council, under Conservative leadership, stands out as a leading example—fixing more roads, faster, and prioritising resources where they are needed most.
Recent analysis by the Department for Transport reinforces this success, showing that Conservative councils repair five times more road length on average than Labour councils and more than double that of Liberal Democrat-run councils.
In Devon, Conservative leadership has ensured:
- Nearly twice as many potholes repaired as Liberal Democrat-led Somerset in 2023/24—56,005 in Devon versus 28,574 in Somerset.
- Significant investment, with Devon allocating £7.9 million for road repairs in 2023/24, compared to Somerset’s £1.7 million.
- Faster repair times, with an average of just 5.72 days to fix a pothole compared to Somerset’s 6.4 days.
- Better infrastructure, improving safety and connectivity across the county.
James Wright, Conservative campaigner for rural communities, praised Devon’s success:
"Strong local infrastructure is the backbone of rural life. The numbers speak for themselves, Conservative leadership means roads get fixed, investment goes where it’s needed, and communities stay connected. The alternative is potholes left to worsen while taxpayers get excuses instead of action."
Colin Slade, Conservative Councillor for Tiverton East, reinforced the importance of continued investment:
"Fixing potholes isn’t just about convenience, it’s about safety and protecting livelihoods. Devon has shown that when you invest properly and manage funds efficiently, you get real results for residents."
Nationally, the disparity between councils is stark. Labour-run Plymouth has been named the worst-performing council for road repairs in the UK, fixing just 0.7% of roads in need of maintenance last year—equivalent to just one mile.
With local elections on May 1st, voters across Devon face a clear choice: Conservative councils that invest in communities and deliver results, or opposition-run councils leaving taxpayers with crumbling roads and broken promises.
