Labour Vows to Repair One Million Potholes Annually by Redirecting Funds from A27 Bypass Project

Labour commits to repairing one million potholes annually if it wins the election. The party proposes financing this initiative by postponing the A27 bypass project and reallocating its projected £320 million budget to these repairs.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 10:

The Labour Party has pledged to repair one million potholes annually should they come into power following the election on July 4.

The group suggests that damage from potholes could potentially cost motorists up to £500, with the typical cost of such damage being around £250.

Under the proposed strategy, municipal governments would receive financial support to perform the necessary renovations. Additionally, modifications in the planning framework would facilitate timely and cost-effective completion of these improvements.

The Labour Party has proposed that the funds allocated for the A27 bypass project, which amounts to approximately £320 million, should be redirected to address the repair of potholes nationwide, thereby delaying the bypass construction.

The group announced plans to involve regulatory authorities to address the factors driving up expenses.

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The announcement follows Rishi Sunak's unveiling of the Conservative Party manifesto today, in which he reaffirmed the commitment to establish a specific £8.3 billion fund aimed at "filling potholes and resurfacing roads."

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The allocation is included in the £36 billion dedicated to "local roads, rail, and bus services to stimulate growth in the regions," which was released following the prime minister's decision to halt the second phase of HS2.

However, Labour's transport spokesperson Louise Haigh criticized the Conservatives for letting down motorists, highlighting that the UK's roads are riddled with potholes.

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"She accused the Conservatives of neglecting the UK's roads, leading to widespread potholes, and of doing nothing as car insurance prices have skyrocketed," she stated.

The Labour Party stands as the sole advocate for motorists. Their strategy promises to mend an additional million potholes annually, which could save drivers substantial amounts on repair expenses. Additionally, they aim to tackle the escalating prices of car insurance.

"We are committed to enhancing the safety of our roads for everyone and will streamline the planning process to accelerate infrastructure developments while also reducing expenses for taxpayers."

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In March, the yearly Alarm report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) revealed that roadways in England and Wales have reached a critical state of disrepair, noting that pothole fixes have surged to their highest level in eight years.

The report revealed that municipal governments anticipate repairing two million potholes this fiscal year, marking a 43% increase from the previous year.

The RAC has recently described the condition of UK roads as "miserable," following a 9% increase in vehicle breakdowns over the past year, attributed to potholes.

The firm recorded approximately 27,205 service calls related to breakdowns caused by substandard road conditions in the year ending March, an increase from 24,906 in the prior year.

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