Samantha Dixon, Member of Parliament for Chester North and Neston, has welcomed the Labour Government’s record funding boost for road maintenance, including £ £800 million in the North West with £57,074,00 allocated for Cheshire West and Chester.
Councils across England will fix potholes and prevent new ones, thanks to a doubling of roads cash by the end of the Parliament as part of the Budget.
Each local authority will be able to use its share of the £7.3 billion to identify the roads most in need of repair and deliver immediate improvements for communities and residents.
The Government is also turning up the pressure on local authorities by more than tripling the share of local roads funding that is tied to transparency – from 8% to over 30% of the budget, worth more than £500 million. Councils can only unlock the funding if they publish clear pothole and maintenance data and follow best practice.
Commenting on the funding Samantha said:
“At the election, Labour promised to fix an extra million potholes a year by the end of the Parliament, and this announcement shows we’re delivering on that commitment. It’s double the funding promised by the previous Conservative government.
“Well-maintained roads are vital for businesses, communities, and growth, and this is a real win for our local area. I know how frustrating poor road and pavement conditions can be, and this funding will make a tangible difference for local residents.
“As well as tackling potholes, I’ll be pushing for some of this funding to improve underpasses such as the one at Fountains Roundabout, which has been a long-standing issue for residents. I’ve already raised this with the local authority to stress the urgent need for upgrades.
“I know potholes are a big concern for local residents, so I’m pleased to see the Labour Government investing in our community to tackle this issue,” she added.
The announcement follows the Budget last week, which included a range of measures to address the cost of living, including freezing regulated rail fares for 12 months, keep prescription charges frozen at £9.90, and bringing forward a number of measures to reduce energy bills.
The Chancellor was clear she was determined to defy the forecasts and promised to break Britain out of its cycle of decline through stability, investment and reform.