The UK government has announced the cancellation of the A27 Arundel bypass project, deeming it ‘unaffordable’. This decision has sparked reactions from various quarters, including the RAC, which has raised concerns about the implications for the nation’s road maintenance.
Reacting to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s spending assessment, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said, “These budget cuts have created more questions than answers about exactly when we’ll start to see the Government improve the condition of Britain’s broken roads.
Williams highlighted the inadequacy of the allocated funds, pointing out that the cancellation of the A27 Arundel bypass, which Labour had pledged to redirect £320 million towards pothole repairs in its election manifesto, is insufficient to address the widespread issues.
“We’re still waiting to hear whether a much larger sum, to the tune of £8.3 billion from the cancelled northern leg of HS2, will be spent on local road maintenance over the next 11 years as promised by the previous Government,” Williams added. It’s this long-term certainty of funding that local authorities so desperately need to plan long-term maintenance programmes, resurface their worst roads, and carry out preventative treatment that stops potholes forming in the first place.
The recent report by the National Audit Office further underscores the urgency of the situation, indicating that the government does not fully understand the extent of the pothole problem. Williams emphasized that now is the time for change and called on the new Transport Secretary to seize the opportunity to deliver lasting improvements to the quality of the nation’s roads.
As local authorities await more substantial and reliable funding commitments, the state of Britain’s roads remains a significant concern for road users and policymakers alike. The RAC’s comments reflect the frustration and anticipation of a more comprehensive approach to road maintenance and infrastructure investment.
