The IAM has warned that many of Britain’s roads will become more hazardous this winter as local council cuts bite.
The IAM says that despite adverse weather conditions in the past two winters, many councils are planning to cut back on winter road services. Budget estimates from the Department for Communities and Local Government show a 3.6% decrease in estimated spending for salting roads, snowploughing, and standby arrangements across England. The IAM says this represents a significant cut when inflation is considered.
67 councils appear to be reducing the amount they are spending on winter road services, with 33 budgeting more than 10% less than last year. And 21 councils appear to have budgeted more than 30% less than they did last year, says the IAM.
Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: “Roads are essential for the economy. Ambulances, supermarket food deliveries, meals on wheels, utilities, even the armed forces, all rely on having a usable road network. Last year, parts of Scotland nearly ran out of food and fuel.
“Councils must make contingency plans to ensure that essential supplies can always get through, no matter what the weather. This has to include dealing with large numbers of drivers stranded for hours with no access to heat or food.”
For more information contact the IAM press office on 020 8996 9777.
Blackpool was ablke to obtain some £30,000,000 yes thirty million pounds for reapair of its roads last spring….. and what has it done… about 80 meters of new tarmac road on a minor street.
Great expectations, though.
Bob Craven
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