Commenting on the Spending Review, Howard Robinson, Chief Executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) said: “The Chancellor’s announcement that capital funding of transport projects will increase by 50% to £61 billion and just £250 million will go towards a pothole fund underlines that he still does not understand that investment in prestige transport projects will be undermined if to reach them drivers and passengers have to use a potholed, poorly maintained road network.
The additional £250 million will do little to address the £12 billion backlog of road repairs to the local road network that carries 98% of traffic. The Chancellor needs to understand the economic and social significance of having a well-maintained local road network. His continued focus on reducing local authority spending will add further pressure on stretched highway maintenance budgets.”