Scott Mann has welcomed news that Cornwall will receive nearly £23 million in roads funding in 2017/18, which includes £1.8 million to repair nearly 35,000 potholes.
The announcement, which was made today by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, will see Cornwall getting £20.167 million in Highways Maintenance Block allocation for 2017/18 as well as an additional £1.847 million in Pothole Fund allocation.
At £53 per pothole, this means 34,900 potholes can be repaired in the county.
Altogether, the South West will receive £144 million for highways maintenance and £12.4 million to repair 235,000 potholes.
Scott Mann said:
“This is great news for North Cornwall. It is rural roads which lag behind in repair and maintenance – people in Cornwall are forever dodging potholes.
“I’ve seen some shocking potholes on my travels around the constituency, notably outside a well-known supermarket in Launceston, some of the roads around Chapel Amble and near Blisland which has seen a lot of heavy duty vehicles.
“The additional potholes money will be able to fix 35,000 potholes, while the £20 million of maintenance funding will help keep our roads up to scratch.”
Chris Grayling also announced £175 million to improve the 50 most dangerous roads in the UK. In Cornwall, this includes the A3058 between Newquay and St Austell and the A3071 between St Just and Penzance.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling said:
“This is a government that steps up, not back which is why we are investing record amounts into improving our roads across the country. This investment is over and above the £23 billion we are spending to get motorists to their destinations quickly, more easily and safely.”
“The schemes announced today are focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future - removing the barriers to help make an economy that works for everyone.”
As part of the £1.3 billion fund, the government is providing £925 million which highways authorities can bid for to upgrade and repair their roads. This is on top of the £6 billion councils are receiving up to 2021. This is an increase on the £4.7 billion spent between 2010 and 2015 and almost double the £3.7 million spent between 2005 and 2010.
Earlier this month Scott wrote to both the Transport Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking that the South West gets more transport money. The region currently receives the second lowest level of funding per capita in the UK.