Extra money planned for Hampshire's roads
Teams are said to be carrying out 2,000 repairs every week
More money is being put forward to maintain Hampshire's roads.
Highways bosses want to spend a further £22.5 million pounds over the next three years.
Teams are said to be carrying out 2,000 repairs every week.
It comes as people are being asked for their views on Hampshire County Council’s range of highways and transport services – including the condition of roads, provision for cyclists, public transport and how utilities’ works, such as gas and water for example, are managed on the road network.
The National Highways and Transport Network’s annual public satisfaction survey is open to all local highways authorities and Hampshire County Council is a long-standing participant.
The 2023 survey is now open for views from all Hampshire residents and other stakeholders until 29 February 2024.
Councillor Nick Adams-King, Executive Lead Member for Universal Services at Hampshire County Council, said: “We know the positive impact that good roads have on people’s quality of life, as well as the part this plays in supporting the local economy so the outcome of surveys like this is a helpful indicator of our performance.
"We also know that following the heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures we experienced during the winter, there has been a significant increase in road defects such as potholes. I’m pleased to say that highways crews are working hard to repair those, seven days a week, resulting in a record number of repairs at over 2,000 each week.
"We would be grateful if as many people as possible could take a few minutes of their time to complete this survey so we can continue to improve and deliver a high quality service.”
Cllr Adams-King added: “Looking after Hampshire’s network of over 5,500 miles of road remains a key priority for us, despite the reduced Government funding, the high cost of inflation on construction work and materials and pressures on our budget due to increasing demands in areas like social care and waste.
"Our additional investment to date, is still not enough to keep up which is why we’re proposing to spend a further £22.5 million over the next three years on highways maintenance.”
People can take part in the survey here:
As well as being available online, the survey has also been sent out in the post to a random representative sample of residents to fill in. Those who receive a paper copy are encouraged to complete the survey and return it.
Answers provided will be compared with the views given by residents, across England and Scotland, about their own local authority’s highways and transport operations.
Further information about the survey and past results is available here.
The County Council currently spends around £13.5 million on reactive pothole and road defect repairs each year. Under the new proposal, funding would increase by £7.5 million starting in this financial year.
Hampshire County Council has taken part in the national survey since it began in 2008. Last year 111 highways authorities took part.