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LGA responds to new RAC survey on potholes
Cllr Martin Tett, LGA Transport spokesman, says current funding levels mean councils are only able to keep pace with patching up our roads and filling potholes rather than carrying out more cost-effective and long-term improvements.
"Councils are fixing more potholes than ever – one every 15 seconds – and keeping roads safe is one of the most important jobs we do.
"However, councils face a £12 billion backlog of road repairs, which would already take councils more than 10 years to clear. Over the remaining years of this decade the Government will invest over £1.1 million per mile in maintaining main roads and motorways, which make up just three per cent of all total roads. However, it invests £27,000 per mile in council-controlled local roads, which make up 97 per cent of England's road network. This difference in funding puts the country's businesses at a competitive disadvantage and provides poor value for money.
"That is why we are calling on the Government, in its Autumn Statement, to put the funding of local roads on the same footing as main roads. We are also calling for 2p per litre of existing fuel duty to be devolved to councils. This would generate approximately £1 billion per year and help ensure that our industries and other road users have access to well-maintained roads.
"Councils are right to pay out if people have genuine claims. However, they will continue to crack down on spurious claims to protect the public purse and use this money to fix roads.
"Current funding levels mean councils are only able to keep pace with patching up our roads and filling potholes rather than carrying out more cost-effective and long-term improvements. Long-term and consistent investment in local road maintenance is desperately needed to improve road conditions for motorists and cyclists."