Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has criticised Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones for slashing the Road Maintenance Grant by two-thirds when Powys faces a £59million share of the £271million road maintenance bill of backlogs in Wales.
Mr Bates comments:
“I welcome the continuation of the Road Maintenance Grant, but funding for this financial year has been slashed by two thirds on the past three years, from £15million to £5million. Combined with severe bad weather before the recent sunshine, this will lead to an increasing deterioration in our road networks and put more and more pressure on local authorities.
“In Wales there is a £271million backlog of road maintenance issues, £59million of this relates to roads in Powys. An additional £2.75million was given by the Assembly Government following the recent bad weather, of which the share to Powys has already been put to good use repairing problems. However, Powys Council estimates that £2.5million for Powys alone would barely return their roads to the condition they were in before winter.
“I have raised this issue in the Chamber with the Minister for Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones. The Minister argued that the grant funding had not been cut but had come to an end. I hope that Powys council can appreciate the difference when they are facing the reality of a £59million repair bill, with only a third of the money they had last year to help pay for it.
“Roads must be maintained to ensure that all travellers, whether by bus, bike or car, can use the roads safely without fear of potholes or damage to their vehicles from poor road surfaces. Reinstating grant funding to the level of last year would make a huge difference and would help support local businesses which could carry out the work needed, stimulating much needed investment in our local economies.”
