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DOT admits roads shortfall
Page 9
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• The Department of Transport has admitted that spending on road maintenance has been cut back so much that it can no longer meet basic standards agreed with the Highways Agency.
In a written submission to the Transport Select Committee, which is currently investigating the state of the nation's roads, it admits the El 46m earmarked for trunk road maintenance will not allow it to meet minimum standards outlined in the Code of Practice for Routine Maintenance.
It says the Highways Agency estimates the amount needed to be spent on the roads is Cl 80m and, as a result, standards in some areas have been relaxed. It also says its Citizen's Charter commitments are in jeopardy.
The statement admits the bridge strengthening programme in readiness for 40-tonne trucks in 1 999 is well behind schedule. It says 717 bridge strengthening projects due during 1997/8 would not be completed even if unlimited resources were thrown at the project.
Roads Minister John Watts says spending on items such as road signs can no longer be justified as there is no obvious return on money spent.