Budget 2014 Report: Pothole Rescue Package

We take a look at Chancellor's £200m pothole pledge and get the campaigner's point of view

We've all had an issue with them at some point. Potholes.

It has gotten to the point that the situation in some areas is out of control; with the worst frosts in years and weather that has defied the odds there are some holes that have stayed in place, largely unattended to. It is little wonder that the problem has continued to worsen.

Obviously, this is a matter of concern for motorists who feel that the roads that they pay their motoring related taxes for should be safe enough to drive along without having to worry about causing damage to their tyre/s, getting stuck or even getting involved in a bump.

Poorly maintained roads are also a safety threat to cyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users, horse-riders and/or in fact, anyone or anything that is travelling along them.

£200 million potholes challenge fund

With pressure growing and online groups like @mrpotholeuk gaining momentum, the Chancellor came forward with a £200 million potholes challenge fund. This has been classed as an "emergency funding" measure and local councils will be able to tender for monies in the "pot" so that they can repair as many as 3.2 million potholes.

Anti-Pothole Campaign

I spoke to Mr Pothole himself - Mark Morrell - on the subject to find out his thoughts about the budget funding announcement.

Mark is a dedicated campaigner for safer roads; he feels that although the £200m emergency fund is certainly not a bad thing, it is only enough to carry out a "patch up". He told me;

"Back in 2000, it was estimated that it would cost in the region of £3.75bn to get the carriageways in England and Wales up to standard.

The failure to do anything about our roads as part of an ongoing plan has resulted in an £11bn+ problem. In fact, 95% of the potholes that we have now wouldn't be here if the £3bn plan had been put into place back in 2000."

Mark also pointed out that the well-maintained roads we do have haven't been affected in quite the same way as the poorly maintained carriageways;

"It's not just potholes we need to pay attention to, it is pavements and road markings, too. I am approaching the transport select committee to ask why this situation has been allowed to snowball to the extent that it has and I will also propose that a 10 year investment plan is put into place that will stop £11bn becoming £100bn in 10 years' time".

Summary

You have to admire Mark's tenacity; his campaign has raised quite a few eyebrows and has created a lot of attention. Whatever happens going forward will rely on a long-term strategy that, as Mark says, will prevent the problem becoming ten times worse in the future.

In the meantime, however, at least we have some acknowledgment from the Government that there is indeed a problem that needs addressing which can only, in my eyes, be a good thing.



Written by @MotorMistress
Share: