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Lib Dems raising your concerns about pot holes and road funding in Parliament

by Ian Shires on 22 June, 2018

Raising pothole and road funding issues in parliament

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Baroness Randerson has raised the issue of under-funding of local roads in the Lords this week, following the LGA pointing out that the Government is spending £1.1 million per mile on strategic roads but just £21,000 per mile on local roads. You can see the dialogue below.

Baroness Randerson (LD)

My Lords, Local Government Association analysis shows that, over a five-year period, the Government plan to spend £1.1 million per mile on the strategic road network but to provide local authorities with just £21,000 per mile for local roads. Of course, local roads make up 98% of the road network and bear the brunt of congestion, which is made worse by ​pothole problems and the lack of money to invest in modern road networks. There is a serious knock-on effect on emissions. Does the Minister accept that the Government need to redress the balance on funding?

Baroness Sugg

My Lords, local road maintenance funding is rising, but I accept that we need to readdress the balance. It is right to concentrate spending on where it is needed most. While the strategic road network includes only 2% of all roads by length, it carries one-third of traffic. However, we know that other important roads have long gone underfunded, and that is why we are introducing a major road network from 2020 and will provide a share of the national roads fund to invest in bypasses, road widening and other road improvements.

View  the full debate.

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