• 7 months ago
We now have more than one hundred thousand miles of local roads across England and Wales that could need to be rebuilt within the next fifteen years, according to a yearly review of UK roads. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance or ALARM survey also found surface conditions have also declined - that's despite nearly one hundred and forty million pounds being put towards filling in two million potholes in the last year. Just forty seven percent of local road miles were rated as being in a good condition, with thirty six percent adequate and seventeen percent poor. But, the rate at which roads are being repaired is up to its highest level in eight years, with the amount local councils are spending on improvements also increased across the board. But how are the roads near you?

The transport spokesman for the Local Government Association said the ALARM report reveals 'the huge challenge faced by councils in maintaining the local roads network', with roads deteriorating faster than they can be fixed, causing a backlog. But a Department for Transport spokesperson explained they've made extra money available for local authorities this year.
Transcript
00:00 We now have more than 100,000 miles of local roads across England and Wales that could
00:07 need to be rebuilt within the next 15 years according to a yearly review of UK roads.
00:12 The annual local authority road maintenance or alarm survey also found surface conditions
00:17 have also declined. That's despite nearly £140 million being put towards filling in
00:23 2 million potholes in the last year. Just 47% of local road miles were rated as being
00:28 in a good condition with 36% adequate and 17% poor. But the rate at which roads are
00:34 being repaired is up to its highest level in eight years, with the amount local councils
00:37 are spending on improvements also increased across the board. But how are the roads near
00:42 you? According to reports logged on the Fill That Hole website from 2022, West Yorkshire
00:48 just about reached the top 10 worst hit areas for potholes in England, coming in ninth place.
00:54 The site logged 219 complaints of dangerous road surfaces in a 12-month period.
01:00 How big of a priority do you think fixing roads should be for already cash-strapped
01:03 councils?

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