David Giles, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), has issued a statement on the thorny issue of how to address potholes ahead of Rachel Reeves’ 26 November Budget.
“The Chancellor is right, in her comments made today, that the stop-go nature of public funding has left our roads full of potholes. It’s all too evident to local road users that an inconsistent approach to highways maintenance funding*, has led to a network in decline. So, it’s not surprising that ALARM data highlights that there are now 10,000 more miles of local road in structurally POOR condition (with five years or less of structural life remaining) than there were a decade ago.
“In the Budget later this month, the Chancellor needs to give local highway engineers the tools to do the job. Substantial, sustained and targeted investment in local roads maintenance is what’s needed to make lasting improvements. And, if this Government is looking to kick-start growth, it makes sound investment sense too, with DfT backed research stating that for every additional £1 spent on road maintenance results in a return on investment of between £2 and £9.”
(Pic: AIA)
