LGA responds to £1.7bn local roads repairs announcement

Responding to the Transport Secretary’s announcement of a £1.7 billion investment into repairing local roads to improve journeys for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers, Cllr David Renard, the Local Government Association’s transport spokesman, said:

“Councils share the frustration about the state of our local roads, which despite their best efforts during the pandemic are deteriorating at a faster rate than can be repaired.

“Our local roads face a repairs backlog of £10 billion and rising, so this funding will help.

“To help councils go further to maintain our roads, they need devolved infrastructure and public transport budgets, as well as long-term funding certainty as enjoyed by Highways England and Network Rail.

“This would enable them to deliver infrastructure improvements which allow people to move around in a way which achieves best value for money, better journeys for local people and businesses and to meet climate change ambitions.”