Mark Whitehead 10 March 2023

Councils forced to axe road improvement schemes

Councils forced to axe road improvement schemes  image
Image: Dmitry Naumov/Shutterstock.com.

Councils are planning to axe millions of pounds of road improvements because of rising costs and lack of funds, according to new research.

The County Councils Network (CCN) is calling for an extra £500m of new capital funding in the forthcoming March budget to plug the spending gap.

A survey by the network found 85% of local authorities plan to reduce roads maintenance next year while scrapping or reviewing major highways projects.

The research shows that inflation is set to add at least £514m to roads and infrastructure budgets in county areas this year and next while costs have risen by an average of up to 25%.

Capital funding has been £400m lower in each of the last two years despite a pledge by the Government to invest an additional £500m in road improvements each year, CCN says, and rural schemes have been hardest hit.

Significant road projects reviewed or reconsidered in county areas include parts of the £67m North Devon Link Road and proposals for a new bypass on the A39 between the M5 and Clarks Village in Somerset which have been cut by the Department for Transport.

Tim Oliver, CCN chairman and leader of Surrey County Council, said: ’We understand the public finances are tight, but county roads are the arteries of England’s economy and council investment plans are vital to supporting local growth.

‘This is why we are calling on the Chancellor to provide at least £500m additional funding for roads maintenance.

‘This will allow us to get shovels in the ground for deferred schemes to help get our economy moving.’

The Local Government Association (LGA) also today called for £130m to fix four million potholes next year.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Service Director – Transformation, Customer and ICT

West Berkshire Council
From £100,011 - £106,691
Are you a transformational leader with a passion for driving strategic change and organisational efficiency? Berkshire
Recuriter: West Berkshire Council

Chief Executive

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
£198k
Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of Tameside? Tameside, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer)

South Ribble Borough Council & Chorley Council
£88,185 plus competitive benefits
We’re looking for a unique and innovative leader Lancashire
Recuriter: South Ribble Borough Council & Chorley Council

Corporate Director of Adult Social Care

London Borough of Waltham Forest
up to £130k
We seek a strategic leader to drive excellence in Adult Social Care. Waltham Forest, London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Senior Administrator

Amey
Competitive Salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Depot Administrator to join our Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) contract in Bristol. Bristol
Recuriter: Amey
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.