Funding to repair West Midlands roads cut by around 40 per cent

The County Councils Network says the reduction in funding across England means councils will "have no choice" but to cancel planned road maintenance projects.

Transport for West Midlands, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, will receive £20.3 million to maintain roads in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Coventry in 2021-22, the Department for Transport has announced.

That is £13.4 million less than the £33.7 million provided in the current financial year – a reduction of 40 per cent.

And over in Staffordshire the county council will receive £25.1 million, which is £8.7 million less than the £33.8 million provided in the current financial year – a reduction of 26 per cent.

Across England, road maintenance funding has been cut by £400 million for the coming year, with £1.1 billion to be handed out to councils and combined authorities.

The funding includes £500 million to repair potholes, with £9 million going to Transport for West Midlands as part of its allocation and £11.1 million going to Staffordshire County Council.

The DfT estimates the money for the West Midlands could repair 181,000 potholes and 223,000 in Staffordshire.

But the County Councils Network, which represents England's county councils, says the pothole fund should not mask an overall reduction in maintenance funding.

Councillor Barry Lewis, economic growth spokesperson for CCN, said: "The Government has given with one hand and taken with the other, as the overall funding pot for roads maintenance will fall compared to last year.

"Our councils rely heavily on this capital funding to help tackle the backlog of road repairs in their areas and to ensure their road networks are in a good condition.

'Worrying'

"Unless further funding is made available, our councils will have no choice but to reduce their roads maintenance work this coming year."

Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy at the RAC, said the cut in funding for road maintenance was "worrying".

He added: "This can only lead to roads deteriorating further and being in a worse overall state than they are now.

"Councils require certainty of funding over a longer period of time – ideally five years – so they can plan resurfacing and routine maintenance rather than being forced into having a more piecemeal approach."

Road maintenance funding is allocated to councils and combined authorities based on a formula which uses the length of roads, number of bridges and level of street lighting.

In addition, Transport for West Midlands will also receive £17.8 million for transport improvement projects such as road safety schemes, cycle ways and bus lanes for 2021-22.

This is an increase of £137,000 compared to this financial year.

Staffordshire County Council will receive £3.4 million, an increase of £26,000.

During the Covid-19 pandemic the Government has provided an extra £7.2 billion in funding to councils to spend on local priorities. November's spending review pledged a further £3 billion for authorities in 2021-22.

A DfT spokesman said: "We know high-quality local roads make a difference to people's lives, which is why we have committed £1.125 billion to local roads maintenances for 2021-22, including £500 million from the Potholes Fund which will allow the equivalent of 10 million potholes to be rectified by local councils."

David Williams, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “Staffordshire has a very large highways network and it’s vital our roads are in good condition to keep residents and businesses connected.

“We do a great deal with what we do have, such as a £69 million programme of projects in 2021/22, and it’s important to see continued investment in walking routes and cycleways, but it is disappointing to note this year’s reduction and there is no doubt that we will have to prioritise accordingly.

“Like all authorities intent on building their infrastructure for the future we would welcome a long term strategy from the Department of Transport so we can plan ahead and make the most of every pound spent.”