 Assembly Government funding to repair pot holes and other damage to roads is being cut by £10mn this year, Welsh Conservatives have learned.
On the day ministers hailed a £2.75mn investment to deal with damage caused by bad winter weather, Shadow Local Government Minister understands the local road maintenance grant is being slashed.
Commenting on the revelation Clwyd West AM Darren Millar AM said:
“It is rank hypocrisy for the Assembly Government to claim it is tackling the pot hole problem caused by bad winter weather while at the same time slashing the road maintenance budget.
“This is a classic example of Labour and Plaid Cymru seeking to use a headline grabbing announcement to obscure the facts.
“The bad winter weather has left many roads in a terrible state and it is crucial local roads are made safe for motorists and other users.
“In the current difficult economic climate local authorities need to draw up plans which balance financial pressures against maintenance needs.
“While welcome, the £2.7mn investment announced today in no way compensates for the £10mn which is being chopped from the budget in the next financial year.
“At the very least the public expect honesty from the Assembly Government. Their failure to address the backlog in repairs – and today’s attempt to paper over the cracks – is making the situation far worse than it would otherwise have been.”
NOTE
In 2007/8 the Assembly Government launched a Local Road Maintenance Grant (LRMG) of £15mn a year to run for three years. But according to information published in December 2009 this will be cut to just £5mn for 2010/11 – of which £4.7mn should be spent “specifically on the maintenance and repair of cycleways”.
Earlier today Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones announced plans for £2.75mn in Assembly Government funding to help councils repair pot holes left by the recent snow and heavy rain.
2nd February 2010 | 
