Our crumbling roads could wait a century for repair

2.28.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 23rd Mar 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern at the findings of the latest road maintenance (ALARM) survey.

The survey states that many roads in Wales are not due to be resurfaced for another 97 years. It also highlights a shortfall of £150m in local authority road structural maintenance budgets across Wales, and concludes that even with adequate funds it would take twelve years to clear the backlog in maintenance work.

Ms Williams said: "Current road works are not even keeping pace with the rate of deterioration. The longer this continues, the more expensive the problem will get - local authorities need help now. Poorly maintained roads have a negative impact on businesses, communities and the environment, and are potentially lethal to cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

"Last week, I called on the Transport Minister to increase funding to local authorities, so that they can start to get to grips with this maintenance backlog. In light of this new survey, and the ever increasing demands on the road network, the Minister must now accept that something needs to be done. "