Road Maintenance Funding 2026-02-12
2026-02-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Local authorities face significant challenges in maintaining roads due to inadequate funding.
What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of funding for road maintenance. The funding given to local authorities is woefully inadequate to maintain the roads, let alone improve them. Local authorities such as Wokingham have had their funding dramatically cut by the Government. How do the Government expect local authorities like Wokingham to deliver on the objectives of the new road safety strategy?
We are investing a record £7.3 billion over the next four years to help councils maintain roads, doubling the amount of money spent on local road maintenance over the course of this Parliament. The hon. Member raises an important point about the importance of road surface and highways maintenance to road safety.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments or actions for Wokingham were not provided, despite acknowledging under-investment.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Local authorities face significant challenges in maintaining roads due to inadequate funding.
The funding given to local authorities is woefully inadequate to maintain the roads, let alone improve them. While Department for Transport funding remains well below historical levels in real terms, local authorities such as Wokingham have also had their funding dramatically cut by the Government. How do the Government expect local authorities like Wokingham to deliver on the objectives of the new road safety strategy?
We are putting record money into local councils—£1.6 billion this year, which is £500 million more than the year before—and we will be doubling the amount of money spent on local road maintenance over the course of this Parliament.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments or actions for Wokingham were not provided, despite acknowledging under-investment.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Despite additional funding for road maintenance, the condition of roads in North Warwickshire remains poor with high levels of potholes.
Despite an additional £6.7 million being provided to Reform-led Warwickshire county council, the condition of roads across North Warwickshire remains an absolute disgrace. Potholes are the No. 1 concern for many drivers in my constituency. Our high streets, rural roads and main roads are littered with potholes. Does the Minister agree that Warwickshire county council must do more with this funding and take urgent action to fix our roads before many more women are left alone, waiting for recovery on rural roads late at night?
I see that Reform Members care so much about the state of our roads that they cannot even be bothered to turn up to Transport questions.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question was not addressed, instead criticising the opposition for their absence.
Response accuracy