The Transport Committee has today welcomed a commitment by
the Department for Transport to press the Treasury for a
longer-term funding settlement for councils to tackle the plague
of potholes on local roads.
The pledge to work across Government to make the case for a
long-term funding plan, is contained in the Government response
(attached) to the Committee’s report Local roads funding
and maintenance: filling the gap
The report, published in July, proposed a front-loaded,
long-term funding settlement for councils to tackle a historic
backlog of poorly maintenance roads and plan confidently for the
future.
In addition to signalling support on key recommendations on
funding and expenditure, the Government has accepted Committee
recommendations on making it easier for the public to report
potholes and bringing innovation funding together in one
place.
Chair of the Transport
Committee, , said:
“A simple visit to the shops or the regular journey to work
can result in injury or damage to someone’s vehicle from the
plague of potholes on our local roads. This is an issue that
affects everyone - pedestrians, cyclists and drivers - every
day.
“We therefore welcome the commitment from the Department to
work across government on giving local councils the cash and
long-term funding certainty they need to tackle the effects on
roads of years of neglect.
“The new DfT ministerial team’s willingness to engage with
the work and recommendations of the Committee is refreshing.
We’ll continue to press to ensure the Government commits to
proper funding to make sure roads are safe for all.”
