THE BATTLE against potholes can only be won through extra funding says Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western.
The MP says there has been a sharp rise in the number and size of potholes found in Warwickshire and the ‘dramatic deterioration’ in the road surfaces poses a risk for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Mr Western told the Observer: “The number of potholes on our roads is unacceptable and demands swift action. It is ridiculous that local authorities are having to go cap in hand to the government for such basic, essential funding and bid for monies.”
Earlier this year it was revealed nearly £1.5million would be spent spent repairing potholes on Warwickshire’s roads following a winter of heavy storms.
The money was part of a £100million government funding pot to help repair some two million potholes across the country and protect roads from further severe weather.
At the time transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “People rely on good roads to get to work and to see friends or family.
“We have seen an unusually prolonged spell of freezing weather which has caused damage to our local roads.
“We are giving councils even more funding to help repair their roads so all road users can enjoy their journeys without having to dodge potholes.
But Mr Western says despite the money more needs to be done.
He added: “There is a significant economic cost to Warwickshire and the whole country through not investing in our infrastructure. Each repair costs approximately £75 and then there’s the damage to vehicles and cycles if not the injury to people in the worst incidents.
“The large number of potholes we are seeing in Warwick and Leamington are not just the result of the poor winter weather, but due to a lack of investment in our roads.
“Local authorities have seen an almost 50 per cent cut to their total funding from central government. This is all while we are facing a rise in council tax while services are cut. People are paying more for less.”
