WORCESTERSHIRE has been allocated almost £30million from the UK Government to improve highways across the county.
A total of £7.9million of the Highways Maintenance cash will go directly towards tackling potholes, enhancing road quality and supporting preventative measures.
However, the allocation comes with a built-in incentive mechanism ensuring Highway Authorities demonstrate compliance with certain criteria, aimed at driving and continuing improvement in highways maintenance practice.
A quarter of the additional funding will be withheld until local authorities demonstrate they are delivering effective and efficient road maintenance programmes.
Welcoming the funding on National Pothole Day (last Wednesday), Chris Bloore MP said it would make a real difference to drivers in Redditich.
“After 14 years of Conservative neglect, our roads became a hazard for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike,” he added.
“This £29.6million investment will transform journeys in Worcestershire, making them safer, quicker, and cheaper.
“It’s a vital part of Labour’s Plan for Change, which prioritises investment in local infrastructure, putting money back in people’s pockets while rebuilding our country.”
Coun Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said road maintenance remained one of the county council’s top priorities and it consistently invested in the area over recent years.
“While we welcome the additional funding, it’s disappointing to see restrictions attached,” he added. “The devil is in the detail, and we’ll need to review the finer points of this funding allocation.”
He added the cash was less than the authority had hoped for, but said it was ‘still good news’ and would allow highways teams to undertake critical road and footpath improvements and address more potholes across the county.
Visit gov.uk/report-pothole to report a pothole.
