Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Road Resurfacing

Thursday 16 May 2024 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is using 8.3 billion to improve local highways, enabling road resurfacing and pothole repairs across England.
  • Noise reduction treatment on the A180 will start in the next road investment period.
  • Shropshire County Council will receive 153 million for highway maintenance from 2023 to 2034.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Dunne Con
Transport
Context

The question arises from the need to address deteriorating local roads in England.

Question

What funding is his Department providing for road resurfacing?

Answer from Mark Harper

The Government are using £8.3 billion in funding reallocated from the HS2 programme to improve local highways, enabling authorities to resurface roads and fix thousands of potholes across England.

Answered
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Q2 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Transport
Context

The Member has been campaigning for the removal of concrete on A180 for safety reasons, promised by a former Minister to be completed by end 2021.

Question

When will work begin to remove the concrete surface from A180 and make it safer?

Answer from Mark Harper

The A180 is part of a National Highways programme; noise reduction treatment will start in next year's road investment period, but my hon. Friend should meet the roads Minister to discuss timing further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A firm date was not provided

How: Should Meet With Minister For More Details

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Q3 Philip Dunne Con
Transport
Context

Shropshire has the fifth longest road network in England; £150 million was announced last autumn for repairs, and an additional £136 million from HS2.

Question

What does this funding mean practically for Shropshire's roads during next Parliament?

Answer from Mark Harper

Shropshire County Council will receive £153 million for highway maintenance from 2023 to 2034 and a further £136 million under the new local transport fund; detailed guidance on usage will be provided soon.

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Q4 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Transport
Context

Somerset has tens of thousands of potholes, exacerbated by persistent flooding; lack of funds for road resilience measures.

Question

Does the Secretary of State recognise the importance of future-proofing roads with specific funds?

Answer from Mark Harper

The 10-year £8.3 billion increase will enable local authorities to move away from dealing only with potholes to a proper road resurfacing programme; funds for over 5,000 miles of roads are included.

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Q5 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Transport
Context

Residents reported a high number of potholes; local authority survey indicates worst road conditions for 28 years.

Question

How can the Secretary of State say he is on the side of drivers when roads are in such poor condition?

Answer from Mark Harper

The £8.3 billion increase for local highway maintenance will enable every local authority to resurface more than 5,000 miles of roads over the coming decade.

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Q6 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Transport
Context

RAC patrols attended more breakdowns related to poor road maintenance; road repairs backlog at £16.3 billion.

Question

Is it clear that a Labour Government will fix Britain's roads better than the current Conservative one?

Answer from Mark Harper

The government has committed £8.3 billion to improving local roads; the Labour party has not backed this plan and committed no money to local roads.

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