Our roads are falling apart

5.30.05pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 17th Mar 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has called on the Assembly Government to help Powys tackle its road maintenance backlog.

During questions to the Transport Minister at the Assembly this week, Ms Williams asked for extra money to be given to local authorities, who are struggling to maintain roads to a reasonable condition.

Ms Williams said: "The maintenance backlog in Powys is growing at a rate of £3 million per annum, and it is estimated the council could need up to £50 million to bring all the roads up to a reasonable standard. This is not a problem peculiar to one county, roads right across Wales are falling apart. No local authority has the sort of money required to bring its roads up to scratch; I can see no alternative but for the Government to step in and help."