Committee welcomes DfT backing for long-term funding plan to fix local roads

28 Oct 2019 03:00 PM

The Transport Committee yesterday 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.

• Read the Government response
• Read the Government response (PDF)
• Inquiry: Local roads funding and governance
• Transport Committee

The pledge to work across Government to make the case for a long-term funding plan, is contained in the Government response 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's comments

Chair of the Transport Committee, Lilian Greenwood MP, yesterday 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.”

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees