The condition of England’s local roads is declining as the repair backlog grows each year, according to an inquiry by Public Accounts Committee.
The Government’s current funding approach has come under scrutiny with MPs warning it is incentivising councils towards short-term repairs rather than focusing on prevention efforts.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the committee, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of England’s local roads, calling it a “national embarrassment.”
He added, “Highways riddled with potholes pose an increasing safety threat to road users, and the Government needs to take its responsibilities more seriously.”
The report also criticised the Department for Transport for not fully understanding the state of local roads due to poor data management.
“The Government must acknowledge the severity of the situation and take urgent action to address it,” said Sir Clifton-Brown.
The inquiry revealed that local authorities may only be carrying out minimum maintenance work to prevent their roads from being rated as ‘red’.
The lack of clear guidelines and accountability has led to a mismanagement of funds and resources, creating inefficiencies in the maintenance of local roads.
The report highlighted that current funding is not being targeted effectively, with the Department for Transport failing to consider crucial factors such as traffic volumes, underlying road conditions, and local environmental issues.
A lack of a comprehensive strategy has led to a reactive approach to road repairs rather than focusing on long-term solutions.
The Public Accounts Committee called on the Government to simplify its funding process for local authorities and provide longer-term certainty on funding allocations.
By streamlining the funding system and ensuring transparency in spending, the Government can work towards addressing the urgent needs of England’s local roads.
