UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK government promises £500 savings for drivers with pothole repairs and a fuel duty freeze, though the savings depend on hitting a pothole.
A minister from the Department of Transport, Lillian Greenwood, stressed that pothole incidents are “all too frequent,” despite the government’s claim that new road measures will save drivers £500 annually.
What did Lillian Greenwood say about pothole costs and repairs?
As reported by Lillian Greenwood, if a pothole causes significant damage, motorists could face “eye-watering” costs, with repair charges averaging £460, according to the RAC.
In response to whether she thinks potholes are a frequent problem, she said,
“Unfortunately, it’s all too common. And because we’ve had more than 10 years of the Conservatives under-investing in our road network, that’s left it absolutely cratered with potholes.”
Ms Greenwood mentioned that potholes are “probably the biggest issue” during her doorstep visits, adding that many constituents are “really angry” over the state of their local roads.
She said,
“Far too many people are hitting a pothole and finding they’re having to fork out to get their car fixed.”
Ms Greenwood was asked about Labour’s motorist-friendly claims, given its £1.7bn car tax initiative and the backing of more than 20mph low-traffic areas.
The transport minister said the government has delegated decisions on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods to local councils, with many residents desiring slower driving.
How will the UK tackle the road maintenance backlog with the £16.81bn Plan?
An industry report released earlier this year revealed that 17% of local roads in England and Wales are in a state of disrepair. The report indicated that clearing the maintenance backlog would cost £16.81bn and could take up to 12 years to complete.
In her autumn budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed a £1.6bn plan for road maintenance and pothole repairs. This plan is £500m more than the 2024-2025 budget.
The first batch of funding will be allocated to local authorities this month.
Ahead of May’s local elections, the government’s stance on drivers could become a point of contention.
What did Heidi Alexander say about cutting journey times and saving drivers’ money?
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, stated,
“Cutting journey times and saving drivers money every year is all part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards and put more money in people’s pockets.”
She said,
“We are tackling the real problems that drivers face by lifting 1,127 miles of roadworks over Easter and cracking down on disruptive streetworks to make journeys to see loved ones as smooth as possible.”
Ms Alexander added,
“This government is also saving drivers up to £500 a year, with councils soon to receive their record £1.6 billion pothole funding and the continued freeze on fuel duty.”
What did Peter Kyle say about using technology to improve roads and reduce disruption?
Peter Kyle, Technology Secretary, stated,
“Technology must be first and foremost used to make people’s lives better, and that includes tackling the misery of traffic caused by road works.”
He said,
“That’s why we are creating a comprehensive digital map of underground cables and pipes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The map will mean construction workers and utility companies will know exactly what lies beneath before they dig, helping to prevent accidental damage like bursting water mains.”
Mr Peter added,
“Our laws will not only back our mission to make British roads safer and journey times quicker, but also grow our economy by £400 million each year as part of our Plan for Change by reducing disruption to motorists and businesses.
What did the government announce about major road investments to boost regional growth?
The government revealed a £580 million investment in vital road projects to enhance national infrastructure and boost regional growth.
£580 Million Investment in Key Infrastructure Projects:
- £200 million allocated to the A47 Thickthorn Junction project.
- £290 million for the M3 Junction 9 development.
- £90 million is dedicated to various local road schemes across the UK.
Local Road Improvements:
- A130 Fairglen Interchange for improved traffic management.
- South-East Aylesbury Link Road to ease congestion.
- A350 Chippenham Bypass and A647 scheme in Leeds to support smoother travel in these regions.
