Published: 2024-03-22 by, News Team in the Traffic & Travel news category

Newcastle Council Faces £185 Million Pothole Repair Bill as Craters Multiply

In a concerning development, city officials report a dramatic surge in potholes, necessitating a hefty financial investment for repairs, as disclosed by council authorities.

Newcastle City Council's recent report reveals a staggering £185 million projected cost to address the damage inflicted by these road craters.

"The longer this issue persists, the greater the financial burden on government assistance," emphasized Cabinet member Paul Frew.

In light of these revelations, inquiries have been directed towards the Department for Transport (DfT) for their insights and potential support.

Although the DfT had pledged over £8 billion for nationwide road enhancements in November, Newcastle's allocated share falls short of meeting the demands for essential road renewals, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Labour-led council, grappling with the monumental task of addressing the pothole backlog, has been offered a modest funding uplift of nearly £29 million up to 2034, covering only about 16% of the city's pressing repair needs.

Furthermore, the council highlights disparities in the funding formula, which bases payments on road length rather than usage intensity and excludes considerations for pavement repairs.

"We're faced with an unjustifiably disproportionate situation compared to regions like Northumberland," noted Mr. Frew, emphasizing the need for national government to reassess funding mechanisms in light of regional disparities and the pressing need for infrastructure maintenance.

In understanding potholes, it's crucial to note their formation, often arising from a combination of factors such as weathering effects, traffic stress, poor road construction, utility cuts, chemical damage, age, and lack of maintenance. These factors collectively contribute to the deterioration of road surfaces, necessitating timely and proactive intervention to ensure road safety and infrastructure resilience.

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