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DfT announces £6bn local road improvement fund
Date: 23 December 2014 | Author: Daniel Puddicombe
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced a £6billion fund to help tackle potholes and improve local roads.
The fund will be spent between 2015 and 2021, and amounts to £976m a year, which the Department for Transport said is enough to fix around 18 million potholes across the country.
The DfT also said it is the first time councils have been given locked-in funding over a six-year period and it will councils plan ahead and save money for the taxpayer.
"Roads play a significant part in everyday life. Poorly maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly during the festive period as people travel to see family and friends," said McLoughlin.
"It is vital we have good quality roads. This government has already taken strong action by spending £1 billion more on local roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament."
The DfT also announced a further £578m has been set aside for an incentive fund scheme from 2016 to reward councils who demonstrate they are delivering value for money for money and are carrying out cost-effective improvements.
"Taking a more holistic approach to planning roads and services can be game changing and deliver greater efficiencies," said Matthew Lugg, director public services for Mouchel Infrastructure Services.
"Councils who think about long term planning and how they work together to share their resources, achieve greater economies of scale and keep the road surface in good repair, ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. Today's announcement by the government will help to deliver this," said Lugg.
