Transport bodies criticise 'perverse' local roads funding gap

09/10/2018 | CHRIS AMES

A coalition of transport bodies has warned that without adequate and stable funding the maintenance backlog on local roads will pass to future generations.

The stark message comes in a joint letter sent by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) to Lilian Greenwood, chair of the Commons Transport Committee, which is currently carrying out an inquiry into Local Roads Funding and Governance.

The organisations, who also include the Institute of Highway Engineers, Highways Term Maintenance Association, council directors body ADEPT and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, say they ‘recognise that there have been great strides in improving efficiency in the highways industry, but believe that the local highways network needs urgent answers to the questions of funding and governance’.

The letter argues that local roads have in recent years been ‘underfunded and unrecognised for the fundamental role they play in the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of our nation’.

It adds that unless a future financial settlement addresses these issues, ‘the UK will continue to build up a maintenance backlog for future generations and continue to suffer from less serviceable carriageways, footways, bridges, lighting, signs and drainage infrastructure, all of which are necessary in delivering for communities’.

This, the letter argues, is in ‘stark contrast’ to the strategic road network (SRN), ‘which has been granted increased funding, stable investment and unified governance’.

The organisations describe the state local roads as also a national matter, with four key issues that need to be addressed.

The first is that local authorities ‘should not be forced into a trade-off between funding local roads and other vital services such as adult social care or children’s services’ following the removal of 'ringfenced funding'.

In addition, the letter argues that despite ‘useful surveys’ by a range of bodies ‘the scale of the problem is not fully understood, nor the full benefits that the local highway network brings’, as there are no overall comprehensive data sets for local roads, which are managed by 152 different local authorities.

The third issue, the letter argues, is that ‘there needs to be a proper consideration of how we fund our local highway network for long term sustainability'.

It argues that there is no relationship between using local highways and paying for them, ‘despite some users such as utilities and freight companies having a disproportionate impact’, adding that ‘it seems perverse’ not to extend to the local roads network the principle of a roads funds for the SRN.

The bodies add that local roads governance and funding must also address the needs of users other than drivers, such cyclists and walkers.

 

 

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £34,314 to £37,938 - Grade 10 £37,035 to £40,476 - Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 - Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Park Operations Assistant - Thorndon Country Park

Up to £12540.50 per annum
This is a permanent, part time position on an annualised hours contract. This means you will be contracted to work a minimum of 964.59 hours per yea England, Essex, Brentwood
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Senior Highways Engineer

£50,754 – £53,607 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Highways Capital Lead

£47,754 - £50,788
To be responsible for management of the Regional Highway Capital Delivery Teams South Wales
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Development Management Engineer

£37,938 - £44,711
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

Head of Highways

£66,366 - £85,284 pa
Highway Operations is a large division within the Planning, Growth & Infrastructure. Enfield (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Enfield London Borough Council

Circular Economy Officer - FTC till the 31st March 26

£26526.00 - £31208.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
... England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Director Highways, Transport & Waste Management

up to £120k
There for Nottinghamshire. There for each other. There for you. Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Nottinghamshire County Council

Director of Highways and Transportation

£126,909
We’re seeking a dynamic and innovative leader to spearhead our Highways and Transportation services. Essex
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Structures Technician

£32,654 - £36,124 plus circa £2000 - £4000 OT (variable
To lead on the planning, delivery and reporting of the highway structures General Inspection programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Assistant Director of Place Operations

£85,962 to £93,267
Bury is a proud and prosperous borough Bury, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bury Council

Career Grade Transport Planner (Carer Grade 6-8)

Grade 06 (£29,093 - £32,654) TO Grade 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward thinking and dynamic transport authority located in the heart of the North West Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Performance and Assurance Manager

£Competitive
We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Principal Performance and Assurance Manager to join our Senior Management Team SBIM Avonmouth, Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager to join our dynamic Area 12 West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Electrician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Electricians Tingley, Wakefield
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Engineer – Structures Capital Delivery

£43,693 - £47,754
To act as one of the Agent's technical experts for highway structures schemes and related issues South Wales
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer Programme Management

£36,124 - £39,513
To support the Principal Engineer ensuring effective co-ordination, programming and contract administration. South Wales
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent
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