The Department for Transport is tightening up its rules on council cash for road repairs. From April this year, councils face tougher rules to prove they are fixing potholes – or risk losing up to a third of next year’s funding. Under the new measures, local highway authorities which fail to demonstrate they are maintaining roads effectively could lose around a third of their £1.6bn funding for the next year.
The government says the changes will mean its record investment in local roads is used as intended, with councils set to risk the loss of £525m. Councils must publish reports proving they are spending all their highways cash solely on road maintenance, outlining long-term road maintenance plans and providing better training for their highways teams.
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.”
Edmund King, AA president, said: “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.”
Neither Lightwood or King bothered to mention that hundreds of motorcyclists’ lives will be saved, if and when, potholes are fixed.