Council leader cancels proposed cuts to road repair budget

Pothole

Council Leader Richard Farnell has ruled out any more cuts to the highways budget to repair potholes.

The repairs budget was earmarked for a £200,000 cut as part of the council’s massive £51millon savings programme.

However, Councillor Farnell has cancelled the proposed saving put forward by finance officers as ’being ‘out of touch’ and ‘short-sighted’.

Councillor Farnell said: “Residents have made it clear time and time again what they think about the state of the borough’s roads. Improving the poor condition of our footpaths and streets is a major priority for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

“l have said that we must, as a council, protect front line services as far as possible. The public’s priorities must be our priorities. To not look after our roads would be short-sighted.

“I know the council is facing some really tough choices as the council has grapples with £51m of government spending cuts. We probably have more holes in our budget than in our roads. But repairing and improving our streets and footpaths is an issue residents feel very strongly about and we must listen very carefully to what they say. That is why it is right to cancel any further cuts to the highways budget. Any cut would be out of touch with the views of the Rochdale people.

“The council is investing a huge £10million into improving roads and footpaths throughout the borough and this is making a significant improvement – but even this will only dent the backlog.

“Improving the state of the highway is common sense and that is why I have rejected this £200,000 cut.”

Rochdale Council has applied for additional government funding to tackle potholes and is expecting an announcement of its allocation any time now. The government would not approve any additional cash if it were to see the council axe funding from its own highways budget.

Councillor Farnell has asked council officers to investigate savings of £100,000 in meeting fewer accident claims from pedestrians and motorists injured on the roads as the condition of the highways continues to improve.