Councils under scrutiny to address pothole crisis
Councils risk losing a third of their funding if they can’t prove they are effectively addressing the pothole crisis.
The government has introduced new rules around funding for road maintenance, with local highway authorities liable to lose up to a third of their £1.6bn funding if they fail to demonstrate they are using the money effectively.
Under these new measures, they will be required to publish reports proving the funding has been ring-fenced for roads and setting out long-term plans to improve the quality of road surfaces in their areas.
Roads and buses minister Simon Lightwood, said: “Drivers deserve smooth, safe journeys, and we’re making sure every pound goes straight into fixing roads and tackling potholes, not being spent elsewhere.
“Potholes aren’t just an inconvenience; they cost drivers hundreds, if not more every time they cause damage to a vehicle. Fixing our roads is one of the most impactful things we can do to reduce the cost of owning and driving a car, and we’re making sure every pound goes straight into doing exactly that.
“We’ve made it crystal clear, that councils which fail to maintain their roads will now risk losing up to a third of their funding. And for the first time, we’re giving councils multi-year funding so they can plan properly and reverse a decade of decline in our roads.”
Funding certainty
RAC head of policy Simon Williams added: “These measures should go a long way to addressing the poor condition of local roads which we know from research for the RAC Report on Motoring is drivers’ number-one concern.
“Ensuring money that is given to councils to improve their roads is actually spent on roads is critical, so the government’s focus on this will be welcomed by drivers. And, while fixing dangerous potholes is vital, it’s also very positive to see councils being encouraged to carry out preventative maintenance work which will stop potholes forming in the future.
“Having the certainty of funding over the next five years for councils to plan proper maintenance programmes should result in better quality roads for all.”
Number one issue
Edmund King, AA president, concluded: “Fixing potholes remains the number one motoring issue for drivers, so it is right that councils are being scrutinised over their repair plans.
“We urge local authorities to use their funding to resurface roads rather than simply patch-up their streets. Proper investment in the road network helps create safer, smoother journeys for everyone.”
