Greater Manchester received the largest amount of central Government funding for road maintenance in 2014/15, while Stoke-on-Trent received the highest percentage increase, according to analysis carried out by the IAM.
The IAM has produced a ‘league table’ showing the amount of road maintenance funding allocated by central Government to each English local authority over the last five years.
Greater Manchester (£141m) received the largest allocation for 2014/15, while Stoke-on-Trent (£10.2m) received the largest year-on-year increase in funding (155%).
The top five authorities for percentage increase between 2014/15 and the previous 12 months are: Stoke-on-Trent (155%), Greater Manchester (143%), Windsor and Maidenhead (121.9%), Southend-on-Sea (109.4%) and Norfolk (100%).
The top five authorities for an increase in allocation over the five year period 2010/11 to 2014/15 are: Lancashire, from £32.2m to £96m (198% increase); Wokingham, from £3.1m to £7.9m (155% increase), North East Lincolnshire from £3m to £7m (£153% increase), Milton Keynes, from £5.7m to £12.3m (116% increase) and Cornwall, from £25m to £50.6m (102% increase).
Conversely the local authorities with the biggest reductions in allocated funding for road repairs for 2014/5 compared to the previous 12 months were: Portsmouth (down 84%), Halton (down 74%), Luton (down 62%), Bedford (down 41%) and East Sussex (down 38%).
The biggest reductions on overall allocation over the five year period 2010/11 to 2014/15 are: Poole (down 68%), Derby (down 56%), Dorset (down 42%), Kent (down 42%) and Peterborough (down 31%).
Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “We know that in each case there are different circumstances as to why a local authority might have a reduced or increased allocation, but it is important to release that the road system is the lifeblood of any local authority.
“The variation in figures brings into focus the issue of greater consistency in funding, which might help in long term planning. The Government must keep up funding until the roads maintenance backlog has gone.”
The full figures can be obtained from the IAM press office on 020 8996 9777.
Blackpool Council obtained a loan two years ago of some £30,000,000. Not bad for a single authority. It was to reinstate (surface) some 40 mile of road over several years.
Some new developments have also been made adjacent to the new Talbot gateway and the Crystal Palace offices for the Local Authority. There is no indication as to whether the cobbling of the roads and new street furnishing of that prestigious area was included in that monies.
I only know that with the development of cobbles and two very high peaked roundabouts with large areas of adverse cambers they have made the roads extremely difficult for any two wheeled vehicle, powered or not.
Bob Craven Lancs Space is Safe Campaigner
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Iain:
The IAM has confirmed the figures are for maintenance funding – I have amended the story accordingly.
Nick Rawlings, editor, Road Safety News
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Just for clarification, the report mentions improvements and repairs. Is the capital maintenance funding or investment in improvement schemes, i.e. new build?
Iain Temperton – Norfolk
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