Condition of Roads England 2021-06-24
2021-06-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from ongoing concerns about the state and maintenance of England's road network, including issues with local road conditions.
What steps his Department is taking to improve the condition of England's roads. In addition to current funding, what specific measures are being implemented to ensure better monitoring and quicker defect resolution by local authorities?
In addition to investing £1.7 billion in '21-22 into local roads, the Department is working towards creating a common data standard for monitoring road condition, aiming to drive innovation and flexibility in monitoring local roads, enabling local authorities to target defects more quickly.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from ongoing road resurfacing complaints by constituents regarding the poor quality of many Fylde's road surfaces, following positive developments with the M55 link road.
After securing work on the Lytham St Annes M55 link road and its commencement, can the Minister assure me that the Government are taking the resurfacing of roads seriously and not simply filling in cracks and covering potholes? What measures have been taken to address this issue?
May I start by paying tribute to my hon. Friend for his determined campaigning over a number of years to secure the start of work on this vital road? The Government have committed £2.5 billion through the potholes fund and local highway authorities should develop a risk-based approach to asset management plans, ensuring proactive maintenance.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for assurance that roads are being resurfaced seriously rather than merely filling cracks and covering potholes was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or measures.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the announcement of a very light rail project in Dudley, which is expected to be a world-class innovation centre for developing and testing prototypes with minimal disruption.
Does the Minister agree that it could be a game changer for public transport for the UK? Will she join me in congratulating the team on pioneering this in the west midlands?
I am delighted to hear about more pioneering innovations in the west midlands. The Department is always interested in building on these successes and seeing them benefit other areas in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for agreement on the game-changing potential of very light rail was not directly addressed, instead focusing praise on existing work in Coventry and Dudley.
Response accuracy