Labour demands pothole action

Published on: 13/02/2018 08:20 AM

There has been a massive public outcry regarding the state of the roads right across Lancashire.

At last week's Budget meeting, the Conservatives voted against Labour's proposals to 'ring fence' an extra £5 million this year on pothole repairs and £1 million extra on the gully cleaning fleet.

The Conservative leader made a statement claiming they they would spend an extra £5 million on pothole repairs; however there is nothing within the budget papers supporting this statement, and officers at the council are unable to identify any extra funding within the budget papers for pothole repairs.

Cllr Azhar Ali labour group leader, has now written to the council leader demanding that he shows us were the money is within the Conservative Budget.

This morning, he told QLocal: "Last year the Tories originally promised an extra £10 million for roads, which reduced to £5 million, then become £3 million. This has still not been spent despite the fact that the roads are in a dire state."

"We now have had claims in within the press that the council will be spending an extra £7 million on potholes, which has been reduced to £5 million, but no one can find it in the budget."

"This is a chaotic situation. They have failed to spend the money last year, their Pothole Policy is in tatters and now no one can find the money. What the people of Lancashire want is a clear statement of when will the potholes will be filled."

"We proposed funding to invest £5 million pound this year and £1 million a year extra for the next 4 years in pothole repairs including a permanent pothole program.

"Permanent pothole repairs means that a whole section of the road would be cut out, including the main potholes and the smaller defects that surround them. This would then be filled, compressed and sealed, as a virtual new section of road. And an extra £1 million on our gully cleaning fleet would reduce the risk of flooding and damage to the roads.

"We are more than willing to work with the current administration on finance and the Pothole policy to improve the roads for the People of Lancashire. Because at present they are being asked to pay 6% more for less.