WLGA responds to survey into condition of Welsh roads
30 April 2009
Responding to today’s report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) into the condition of roads across England and Wales, the WLGA said:
“Ensuring people’s road safety is important to every Welsh council and millions of pounds are spent each year to ensure that roads are safe. This involves an ongoing programme of repair and maintenance work which includes ensuring that potholes are filled and that any other road safety damage is repaired once it is spotted or reported.
However, Welsh councils recognise that there is a backlog of repairs needed. Indeed, the Welsh Assembly Government has also recognised this and in 2007-08 committed an additional £15m per year for investing in highways maintenance.
Whilst this investment has gone a long way to improving the condition of Welsh roads, unfortunately the Assembly Government has indicted that this funding might come to an end this financial year leaving a major hole in councils' budgets.
The WLGA will ensure that the concerns of Welsh councils are heard in Cardiff Bay ahead of this year's financial settlement and will make the case for continued funding so that councils can deliver the further improvements that are still needed."
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