Somerset Council has expressed that the additional £3.5m in funding from the cancellation of the HS2 rail link will only have a “minimal” impact on the county’s roads. This comes after Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP revealed that £800m would be allocated for road repairs across the South West, prompted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to scrap the HS2 link between Birmingham and Manchester.
The additional funding is set to be distributed among the region’s local authorities, with Somerset Council receiving over £3.5m for road resurfacing and pothole repairs over the coming years. However, the council has expressed concerns about the limited impact of this funding due to high inflation and has urged the government to address the underlying issues with local government funding.
Following the cancellation of HS2, which freed up £36bn for infrastructure projects across the UK, various allocations have been made for significant projects in the south west. These include the development of a new railway station in Wellington by 2025 and enhancements to the A38 between Bristol Airport and junction 22 of the M5 near Highbridge.
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The funds allocated for road repairs are part of an £8.3bn national plan, with the Department for Transport (DfT) aiming to resurface more than 5,000 miles of road across the UK by 2034. Somerset Council has been granted £3,546,000 to be used before April 2024, along with a further £3,546,000 for the 2024/25 financial year. An additional £111,039,000 in DfT funding will be available to the council until April 2034, but it cannot be utilized for repairs to the A303 or M5, as these fall under National Highways management.
During the announcement, Mr. Harper highlighted the importance of road repairs, emphasizing the negative impact of potholes on motorists and the benefits of the allocated funds. Meanwhile, the RAC has welcomed the news, anticipating a positive effect on drivers and active travel.
Despite the council’s appreciation for the added funding, it remains skeptical about its substantial impact on local residents. The council has cited persistent high inflation in the construction industry as a significant factor and has also refrained from detailing the specific allocation of the initial funding within the county.
In light of the funding situation, the council’s executive committee is set to convene in December to consider budget proposals, potentially leading to cuts in front-line services, including the existing highways budget.