Revealed: Local authority funding allocations over last five years

08/12/2014 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has produced a league table of the amount of money allocated by government to each local authority on road improvements over the last five years in England.

Greater Manchester came out top with a figure of £141 million for 2014/15.

This is a sharp rise in the amount allocated to road repairs in Greater Manchester in the past few years. In 2013/4 the amount was £58.3m and in 2012/13 it was £49m. Its 2014/15 allocation was 143% greater than the previous year, and since 2010/11 the percentage increase was 58.1%.

However, in overall percentage terms the local authority with the highest increased allocation was Stoke-on-Trent. With an allocation of £10.2m for 2014/15 compared to £4m in 2013/14, this was a 155% increase. Over the five-year period (since 2010/11) Stoke-on-Trent’s allocation had increased by 85.4%.

The top five authorities for percentage increase between 2014/15 and the previous 12 months were: Stoke-on-Trent (155%), Greater Manchester (143%), Windsor and Maidenhead (121.9%), Southend-on-Sea (109.4%) and Norfolk (100%).

Their one year figures also reflected largely their increased allocation over the previous five years (2014/5 allocation compared to 2010/11 allocation), which were for these authorities as follows: Stoke-on-Trent (85.4%), Greater Manchester (58.1%), Windsor and Maidenhead (102.9%), Southend-on-Sea (81.1%) and Norfolk (89.4%).

The top five local authorities for an increase in allocation over the five year period 2010/11 to 2014/15 were Lancashire, from £32.2m to £96m (198.1% increase); Wokingham, from £3.1m to £7.9m (154.8% increase), North East Lincolnshire from £3m to £7.m (£153.3% increase), Milton Keynes, from £5.7m to £12.3m (115.8% increase) and Cornwall, from £25m to £50.6m (102.4% increase).

Conversely the local authorities with the biggest reductions in allocated funding for road repairs for 2014/5 compared to the previous 12 months were Portsmouth (down by 83.7%), Halton (down by 73.5%), Luton (down by 61.6%), Bedford (down by 40.9%) and East Sussex (down by 37.9%).

However, over the five year period 2014/15 compared to 2010/11, the local authorities with the biggest reduction on overall allocation were Poole (down 67.9%), Derby (down 55.9%), Dorset (down 42.2%), Kent (down 41.6%) and Peterborough (down 31.4%).

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “We know that in each case there are different circumstances as to why a local authority might have a reduced or increased allocation, but it is important to release that the road system is the lifeblood of any local authority.

“The road network is responsible for the survival and prosperity of the local economy and the jobs of people. It should be treated with the investment it deserves, for now and the future. The variation in figures brings into focus the issue of greater consistency in funding, which might help in long term planning. The government must keep up funding until the roads maintenance backlog has gone.”

The figures came about through a question asked in Parliament by David Ruffley, MP for Bury St Edmunds to Robert Goodwill MP, Roads Minister at the Department for Transport. Mr Ruffley asked how much funding the DfT has allocated to each local authority in England and Wales for road improvements in each year since 2010.

Mr Goodwill said with road improvements in Wales being a devolved matter, those figures were an issue for the Welsh government.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset 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