Roads and transport How we’re looking after Manchester’s roads

We are committed to keeping our highways in good condition. This page gives you a quick and easy summary of how we’re spending money to maintain and improve our roads, footpaths, bridges and more. 

What we look after 

We manage: 

  • 1,343 km of roads 
  • 2,668 km of footpaths 
  • 260km of cycleways 
  • Over 350 bridges 
  • 120,000+ drains 
  • 50,000+ streetlights 

How we spend the money 

We use two types of funding: 

  • Capital: for big improvements like resurfacing roads and fixing bridges. 
  • Revenue: for everyday jobs like filling potholes and clearing snow. 

What we did in 2024/25 

  • Resurfaced 31 km of roads 
  • Treated 23km of road and 66 km of footpaths 
  • Maintained eight bridges and structures 
  • Filled 10,120 potholes 

What we plan for 2025/26 

  • Resurface 22 km of roads 
  • Treat 33km or road and 63 km of footpaths 
  • Carry out maintenance to six bridges and structures 
  • Fill around 10,000 potholes 

Are our roads getting better? 

Yes. In 2017, 25% of roads were in poor condition. By 2024, that dropped to 12%. We’re now focusing more on footpaths and local roads. 

How we reduce disruption 

We plan roadworks carefully and check that repairs are done properly. We work with utility companies to fix problems quickly and keep traffic moving. 

How we care for the environment 

  • We use recycled and low-carbon materials 
  • We’ve installed over 54,000 LED streetlights 
  • We’re planning for climate change and greener streets 

How we listen to you 

We use your feedback to plan our work. We also talk to local communities and councillors to make sure we’re meeting local needs. 

If you need to report something to us, visit road and pavement problems

 

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