With the drive home for Christmas about to begin, thousands of people in the West of England will benefit from safer roads.
The record £6.7 million of pothole funding, in a week where the region has also secured a record £17.2 million cash boost to turn the tide on homelessness, has been warmly welcomed by Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Broken roads can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs. That’s a cost that can easily be avoided by investing properly in our roads.
“Through our Plan for Change we’re determined to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking people and improve living standards. That’s why we’re giving councils funding to repair our roads and get Britain moving again – with a clear expectation that they get on with the job."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Potholes have plagued motorists for far too long, but today’s record investment will start to reverse a decade of decline on our country’s roads.
“Millions will drive home for Christmas today, but too many will have to endure an obstacle course to reach their loved ones. Potholes damage cars, and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe. We are investing £1.6bn to fix up to seven million more potholes next year.
“This government is firmly on the side of drivers. Every area of England will get extra cash to tackle this problem once and for all. We have gone beyond our manifesto commitment to back motorists and help raise living standards in every part of the country.”
Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, said:
“If you’re driving home for Christmas, news of an extra £6.7 million to fix potholes next year in the West of England will be music to motorists’ ears. So will the prospect of roadworks finishing sooner thanks to charges for companies doing roadworks – and doubling fines against utility companies who take too long.
“The Government’s latest investment in transport across our region is nearly 50% higher than last year. With this funding, and the £540 million already secured for transport improvements by my Mayoral Combined Authority through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement – the highest per head in the whole country – the road ahead will be much smoother.”
