South Gloucestershire’s roads network is set to benefit from new investment after councillors backed plans to improve residential streets and tackle potholes.

The county Council has committed to directing funding towards local roads following the announcement of £215 million for highways maintenance and repairs across the West of England, according to the Gloucestershire Gazette. The funding, announced by West of England Mayor Helen Godwin, represents an increase of £40 million compared with previous allocations.

The council’s Labour and Liberal Democrat administration has previously focused on improving heavily used roads, but residents have continued to raise concerns about the condition of residential streets in urban, suburban and rural areas. A Liberal Democrat motion calling for investment in local roads received unanimous support at a full council meeting.

The funding forms part of wider transport investment in the region, including £752 million through the Government’s Transport for City Regions settlement.

Councillor Ian Boulton, co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council, welcomed the announcement, saying:

“This has been made possible through record investment in our region by the Labour Government, including £752 million through the Transport for City Regions settlement. Of course, many people have lobbied over the years about the condition of our roads and it is right that councillors raise residents’ concerns.

“But campaigning alone does not fill a pothole. What matters is turning those concerns into funding and investment, and that is exactly what has now been delivered.”

Mayor Helen Godwin said the funding would benefit motorists, pedestrians and cyclists across the region.

(Picture: Kevin Borras/Highways News)