Alex Ballinger MP welcomes new funding to fix roads in Halesowen following top performance rating
Alex Ballinger MP has today welcomed news that, in the first ever release of such data, Labour-led Sandwell Council has been given a ‘green’ rating, the highest possible, for its pothole performance. The announcement comes ahead of National Pothole day on January 15, and demonstrates that Sandwell Council is delivering significant road improvements for local residents.
The Government has doubled the annual roads budget and is backing local authorities with a record £7.3 billion multi-year funding settlement.
The new ratings system and record multi-year funding settlement represent a major shift in how the Government supports councils to maintain their roads – moving away from short-term fixes towards sustainable, preventative maintenance that delivers better value for money and improved road conditions for years to come.
By ending the sticking-plaster approach and moving towards long-term, integrated settlements, the Government is empowering high-performing authorities like Sandwell Council to deliver better roads for local people.
To ensure this investment reaches the worst-affected roads, Alex Ballinger MP has today launched 'Pothole Patrol’. Residents are encouraged to report the most dangerous road defects in their neighbourhood directly to Alex Ballinger MP’s office here alexballinger.org.uk/pothole-patrol, ensuring the council can prioritise the areas that matter most to local motorists.
Commenting on the announcement, Alex Ballinger said: “I am delighted to share the news that Sandwell Council’s hard work has been recognised with this ‘green’ rating and that vital extra funding has been secured for our area.”
The Secretary of State for Transport added: “For too long drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate. I have heard time and again their frustration on footing the bill because they hit a pothole – money they should never have to spend in the first place.
“We’ve put our money where our mouth is, increasing the funding for local highway authorities with £7.3 billion to fix roads and given them the long-term certainty they have been asking for. Now it’s over to them to spend the money wisely, and for the first time we are making sure the public can see how well councils are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.
“This Government’s record investment will save drivers money on repairs, make roads safer and help restore pride in our communities.”
