Holden declares war on causes of potholes

19/10/2023 | CHRIS AMES

Roads minister Richard Holden has promised to chase down every local authority without a lane rental scheme, as part of a ‘war’ on potholes and those who cause them.

Lane rental schemes allow highway authorities to charge utility companies and themselves fees for digging up their busiest roads at the busiest times.

The Government has said that as part of its Plan for Drivers it will consult on requiring councils with such schemes to use at least 50% of any surplus on pothole repairs or resurfacing.

 

Speaking to a highways industry audience, Mr Holden (pictured) said ‘We’re taking action to fix roads faster and more efficiently, helping more local authorities establish lane rental schemes and creating digital traffic regulation orders, the system through which rules using paper and ink has to become fit for a digital age.

‘If local authorities that you know or you are working for or working in partnership with do not have a lane rental scheme, get one now because I’m going to chase down every local authority which hasn’t got or isn't planning one.’

On the subject of potholes, Mr Burden said: ‘As part of our resurfacing investment, we will wage a war on them and those who cause them, which is another reason to get a lane rental scheme for every local authority in the country as soon as possible.'

Mr Holden said: ‘It is easy to forget that so much of our personal freedoms are contingent on the upkeep of our nation’s greatest economic asset – our road network.

‘All 245,000 miles of it, connecting every home, every business and every community in the country. We rely on them constantly. Our task is to make this national asset fit for the future and to make journeys easier and safer for all.’

Mr Holden said the government will spend an additional £8.3bn on road resurfacing across the country over the next decade.

He said this was ‘nearly double our current spending’, but it may represent a far smaller real-terms rise. Although central government currently provides nearly £1bn a year capital funding to English highway authorities, this figure fell during the first year of the current Parliament and was then frozen.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Street Works and Permitting Officer

£31,586 - £34,314
Are you a diligent and hardworking person with a passion for customer care, and excellent communication skills? Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Senior Technical Officer (Structure)

£28,624 - £36,124 (plus £2000 Market Rate Supplement, reviewed annually)
Have you got great IT skills to maintain an asset management database? Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Bridge Engineer (Career Grade)

£34,314 - £44,711 37 hours, Permanent
Wakefield Council is seeking a dedicated Bridge Engineer Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Senior Circular Economy Officer

£32889.0000 - £38693.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Please note this role is a secondment / fixed term contract opportunity until 31.03.2026The OpportunityThe Senior Circular Economy Officer will devel England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Site Manager - Highways

Competitive Salary
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for Three Permanent Site Managers to join our dynamic Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance team. Aust, Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Construction Manager

Competitive salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Construction Manager to join our Specialist Bridges Inspection and Maintenance contract in Bristol. Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Administrator

Competitive Salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Depot Administrator to join our Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) contract in Bristol. Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

Competitive Salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative to join our in Area 10– Strategic Highways account . Runcorn
Recruiter: Amey

Planner - Highways

Competitive Salary
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Planner to join our dynamic Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) team. Aust, GB, BS35 4BD
Recruiter: Amey

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 7 £26,248 - £28,161 per annum
We’re looking for experienced Roadworker/LGV Drivers to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highways Engineer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Highways Engineer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Traffic Engineering Officer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Traffic Engineering Officer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Civil Engineer (Senior) - Highways Street Lighting

£28,624 - £36,124 (plus £2000 Market Rate Supplement, reviewed annually)
You will provide street lighting design and delivery service for council and stakeholder schemes. Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Bridge Technician WMF1961e

£27,711.00 to £28,624.00
We are currently seeking to recruit a Bridge Technician to join our Bridges and Structures team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Vehicle Technician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 plus 6% shift allowance including Saturday working on rotas.
An opportunity has arisen within our Transport Fleet management team Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Senior Pest Control Officer

Grade G £31,586 - £35,235 (SCP 20 -25)
We are looking for a forward thinking and enthusiastic Senior Pest Control Officer Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recruiter: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Technician - SAMS

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum
The Highway Strategy group are looking for an enterprising and innovative systems thinking asset management Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Engineer (Technical Business Analyst)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Engineer (Technical Business Analyst)Permanent, Full Time£42,679 to £50,211 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Assistant Service Manager (Vehicle Workshop)

Grade 9 £36,344 - £38,253 per annum, (inclusive of market supplement to be reviewed December 2026)
We are looking for a highly motivated Assistant Service Manager to join our County Transport team Derby, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Heavy Goods Vehicle Motor Mechanic / Light Goods Vehicle Motor Mechanic

Grade 8 £33,797 - £35,708 per annum, (inclusive of market supplement to be reviewed December 2026).
We are looking for a highly motivated Heavy Goods Vehicle/ Light Goods Vehicle Mechanic to join our County Transport team Derby, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW