Somerset Council will be able to spend more on road repairs over the next four years following a "significant uplift" in funding from central government.
The council's executive met in Taunton on Wednesday (March 11) to ratify its local transport plan, which must be submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) for final approval by March 20.
The plan was assembled "at very short notice" after the government confirmed a four-year settlement for transport funding, with the council laying out how it will spend around £282m between now and March 2030.
Of this, nearly £162m will be spent on highways maintenance - including full resurfacing, surface dressing, pothole repairs, drainage work and other necessary infrastructure matters.
Mike O'Dowd-Jones, the council's service director for infrastructure and transport, said: "There is now a much stronger focus on outcomes - we will be held to account for delivering on what we promise.
Read more
"There is also a much greater emphasis on accessibility and how we manage and maintain our highway assets.
"This plan introduces additional funding into the capital programme, with a significant uplift in highway maintenance funding.
"The government clearly expects the funding allocated for maintenance to be spent on maintenance - there is limited flexibility."
The total highway maintenance budget for the next four years is £161,862,600.
Of this, the government can withhold up to 29 per cent per year if performance requirements are not met - for instance, if repairs are not carried out responsively or to a high enough standard.
The government published data on the council's performance in mid-January, ranking it 26th out of 153 local authorities with an overall 'amber' score - a score which the council has welcomed, despite some "confusing" elements.
The local transport plan does not specify where in Somerset the funding will be allocated, or how much will be spent on comprehensive resurfacing of roads as opposed to less disruptive repairs.
A full breakdown of road repairs and other roadworks in your area can be found by visiting www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-travel.
Council leader Bill Revans welcomed the plan, stating: "We got notice to do this on December 19, and we had to hand in our homework by March 20.
"This shows us working at pace, doesn't it?"
The local transport plan also includes numerous commitments to delivering improved walking and cycling infrastructure, with around £16m of capital funding being allocated - though just under £1.6m of this will go to rural parts of the county.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, stated after the meeting: "I would like to thank everyone who has helped shaped this plan within a very tight time-frame.
"While we will continue to maintain our road network and assets like traffic signals, we are keen to encourage more people to look at alternatives to the car, where appropriate, whether it’s walking, wheeling and cycling, or using public transport.
"It is important that alternatives are accessible and are safe and easy to use."
Share