West Sussex £71.5m pothole grant ‘welcome fillip’ to council funds

West Sussex County Council is set to receive more than £71.5m for pothole repairs over the next six years.
JPCT 110512 Potholes in Emms Lane, ( Brooks Green / Barns Green ). Photo by Derek Martin ENGSUS00120121105124617JPCT 110512 Potholes in Emms Lane, ( Brooks Green / Barns Green ). Photo by Derek Martin ENGSUS00120121105124617
JPCT 110512 Potholes in Emms Lane, ( Brooks Green / Barns Green ). Photo by Derek Martin ENGSUS00120121105124617

The grant announced by the Government today (December 23) is part of a £6bn funding pot made available to councils around the country.

Over the life of the fund, a total of £71.732m will come to the council’s coffers to repair the county’s potholes.

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A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said: “This early Christmas present is a welcome fillip to our funds.

“The fund announced by the Government is additional money for pothole repairs to the damage caused by freezing temperatures and flooding in recent years.

“We had a pothole fund last year and this looks on first glance like the same as that.

“We are looking forward to hearing more from the Government about how it is going to be run in the New Year.”

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Next financial year the council will get £13.723m, in 2016/17 a further £12.581m, £12.2m in 2017/18, £11.043m a year in 18/19, 19/20 and 20/21. The council is currently planning to save £124m over the next four years, of which £68m will be in the next two years. The spokesman added this funding will not affect those figures as it is ‘additional money’.

Announcing the £6bn funding pot transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin hoped it would ‘put an end to short term fixes’.

He said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life. Poorly maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly during the festive period as people travel to see family and friends.

“It is vital we have good quality roads. This government has already taken strong action by spending £1bn more on local roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament.

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“The £6bn funding I am announcing today will put an end to short term fixes and will mean we have committed £10bn between 2010 and 2021.

“This huge investment is part of our long term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century.”