Wrekin supports New UK Infrastructure strategy long term vision

The Government’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, published this week, sets out a long-term vision to build resilient infrastructure, which includes a commitment to invest £24 billion in the local road network by 2030. But while these long-term funding pledges are welcome, potholes remain one of the most visible and frustrating signs of the current strain on roads.

Paul Thompson, technical specification manager at civil engineering solutions provider Wrekin Products, has responded to the strategy by stressing the urgent need to tackle the critical underlying issue using preventative solutions instead of short-term fixes.

Thompson said: “Despite the promise of long-term investment in infrastructure, the reality on the roads tells a different story. The backlog of carriageway repairs in England and Wales remains severe, with recent estimates putting the figure at around £15.6 billion. What’s more, data continues to show that over half of the local road network has less than 15 years’ structural life remaining. The critical underlying issue here, which is highly and unhelpfully politicised, is the vast quantity of potholes.

“Road users want to see immediate action; meanwhile local authorities want to be seen to be fixing the issue. However, funding needs to be used wisely to prevent the formation of potholes in the first instance so that the longevity of our road network is increased and the need for costly, constant repairs is reduced.

“It was recently revealed that under new government plans there will be greater monitoring of local authority performance on road maintenance, with councils expected to publish annual reports in order to maintain access to millions of pounds in funding. The Department for Transport has also contacted local highway authorities to outline what this reporting should include, covering both reactive and preventative work. Importantly, it reinforces that temporary quick fixes should be avoided wherever possible and that a focus on prevention delivers better long-term value.”

“We see this as a positive step forward but urge those responsible for road maintenance to see potholes as more than just a surface issue. Within the framework of a 10-year infrastructure vision, long-term, below-the-surface solutions must become the standard rather than the exception.”