£1.25m extra for repairs to local roads

Cllr David Topping

Councils across England have learnt how much they will receive from the £183.5 million the government has made available to help repair local roads damaged by severe weather.

Cheshire East Council is to receive £1,249,785, compared with Cheshire West and Chester who will receive £856,911, Stockport who have been granted £286,735.

This is an emergency payment from the government to help with road repairs following the wettest winter on record.

On top of the money being shared out to councils, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in last week's Budget that another £200 million will be provided for pothole repairs in the financial year 2014 to 2015. Cheshire East Council's share of a similar amount over 2013-15 was £2.2m.

The extra money is being distributed now to ensure that repairs can be started as soon as possible, so that the majority of the damage can be fixed ahead of the summer holidays.

All local highway authorities will be required to publish information on their websites showing how and where the money will be spent.

Councillor David Topping, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of environment, welcomed the news of extra funding and said: "This is welcome news that will give us extra resources to commit to tackling potholes and improving our roads.

"Cheshire East continues to invest in its highways and had already set aside around £1.5m to ensure that the network is kept in a safe and serviceable condition through the year for our residents and visitors.

"We expect to have to repair around 27,000 potholes per year but, as our investment in improving the highways continues, this number should fall.

"In addition, the number of customer-reported potholes is down from a peak of 3,640 in Jan 2013, to around 782 in Jan 2014, and also similarly we have seen a significant drop in the number of claims received – down from 270 in Jan 2013, to just 34 in Jan 2014.

"However, there is no room for complacency and we will continue to monitor the roads and prioritise works accordingly.

"The Chancellor's announcement that all councils will share in a £200m boost to the money available for pothole repairs is more great news for road users and this Council. However, at this time, Cheshire East has not been informed about its share.

"The number of potholes repaired per day varies since it is very much weather dependent and a seasonal activity. The number can rise to 100-plus per day, when we experience rain or freezing conditions.

"The highways team carry out regular safety inspections and any defects recorded are dealt with quickly. Currently, we get around 400 reports of potholes or defects a week – but the number will fall through spring and summer periods.

"In addition, Cheshire East has invested £25m to make major improvements to the condition of the road network, through its Highways Investment Programme.

"The teams have already successfully delivered £14m of benefits and will be working over the next few months to deliver the remaining £11m."

To report a pothole or fault on a road, use the online service via the Council's website.

Click here for a regional breakdown of the extra funding to repair local roads damaged by severe weather.

Tags:
Cheshire East Council, Potholes
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Sarah Lane
Monday 24th March 2014 at 6:04 pm
They need to stop repairing and patching up because my children could do a better job. Last year I reported numerous craters (you could not call them potholes) and to be fair they were repaired quickly but for a number of weeks now they are getting to be as bad. One section of road had a complete re-surfacing and this needs to be done on a large section of carriageways. No more poor quality, shoddy work please. A proper job is required, one that will last numerous years.
Gordon Roberts
Wednesday 26th March 2014 at 4:42 pm
Great news,but before the celebration how about a business study? Its not about what monies you get so much as what is achieved with that money for a repair by a council or contractor? who gives the best finished product, and best value for money?Are the cost of road repairs in York, Stafford,Newbury,or Basingstoke all the same,I dont think so.And like so many councils,by the time the road gangs have had there new reflective jackets,plastic hats,boots,new road rollers,and shiney new 2014 Transit pickups to rest their weary bodies in,there is not much left for the job in hand.Sorry to be a sceptic,but you see I was a road builder in the sixties,and just dont see the work ethic. You know what I mean?pay a lot, get a little.