Welsh Conservatives have called for a change to road maintenance in Wales and an end to the culture of continuous short-term fixes for potholes.
As local authorities across Wales work to repair roads damaged by another bout of cold weather, the Shadow Minister for Local Government has demanded a change in priorities and a switch to preventative road repair.
Jonathan Morgan AM (pictured) said: “We are now in a position where local authorities are continually struggling to get on top of these problems. With each new cold snap the problems on our roads are being exacerbated still further.
“It is time for the Welsh government to reassess priorities and get us out of this culture of short-term fixes.
“Rather than being eternally reactive, we must consider earlier identification and maintenance of our highways.
“A little under two years ago, Newport Council invested in a preventative road repair scheme. The decision has paid off, the work has proved a huge success, and money has been saved in the long run.
“This is the kind of proactive lead Labour-Plaid should be following and working towards. While finances remain tight, it is the way in which money is spent that is of paramount importance.”
Shadow Minister for Transport, Darren Millar AM, said: “Investing in the long-term future of our roads clearly works and Labour-Plaid needs to give careful consideration to this course of action.
“Costly short-term fixes and compensation pay-outs for drivers are now a constant strain on the local government budget.
“If we prevent the problems as best we can, we will limit the need for this in years to come.”
