10:40am Tuesday 19th January 2010
By Neil Phillips
AN extra £2 million is to be spent on pothole repairs which Buckinghamshire County Council says must be carried out “as a matter of urgency”.
The council has released the money from its reserves after new potholes emerged since last week’s big thaw.
But the move by the Conservative-led authority was today attacked by a Liberal Democrat as a "cosmetic short term measure".
Cllr David Shakespeare, council leader, said: "Exceptional times call for exceptional measures, and this is such a time, so I will be transferring £2 million from our reserves so we can get our roads fit for purpose as soon as possible.
"We are in a position to act quickly because we have been prudent in maintaining a good level reserves, which we can call upon in times of need.
"These repairs must be carried out as a matter of urgency. The longer we wait, the worse potholes will become. It is imperative that we get these repairs underway as quickly as possible.”
Earlier this month six extra highways maintenance teams were sent out – bringing the total to 15 – with the aim of repairing 25 to 30 potholes per day, and around 2,000 per week across Bucks.
Cllr Shakespeare said: “This extra money will enable us to increase both the quantity and quality of these repairs."
Cllr Val Letheren, cabinet member for transportation, said: "Unfortunately for us and our motorists, the conditions we've had to suffer are perfect for creating potholes - it's been a cycle of freeze, thaw, freeze. We knew that we would we have a problem with potholes, so it is vital that we take action to resolve this."
The council said last week it was already pledging an extra £54,000 to tackle potholes over a three-week period.
But it also emerged it was consulting on a £678, 000 cut to the budget to be spent on potholes next year – a move Cllr Letheren described as “very worrying” (see links to stories below).
But Councillor Michael Brand, Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet member for transportation, said the cash was a “cosmetic short term measure which won’t fool anyone who uses Bucks roads”.
He pointed to Cllr Letheren’s admission last week that council leader David Shakespeare would not borrow the cash needed.
He said: “What is needed is a business case for renewal of the neglected road network through long term borrowing.
“That should mean ultimately that the revenue costs of road repairs are affordable and the roads are decent.”
And he said: “I’m fed up with the Bucks Tories blaming the Government.
“Their financial problems at Bucks are caused by lack of strategic financial policies.”
Anyone wishing to report a pothole should contact the council’s Highways On Call team on 0845 2302882.
Have you spotted a dangerous pothole? Contact our newsdesk on 01494 755084 or email acarswell@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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