Today, Alec welcomed the Transport Secretary's announcement of £991 million of further investment to repair roads across Yorkshire and the Humber, meaning that millions of motorists will enjoy smoother, safer and faster road journeys as a result of the largest ever road resurfacing programme.
Local authorities, including the West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Combined Authorities, will receive a share of the £991 million which they can use to deliver immediate road improvements for local residents, meaning that drivers will save up to £440 on expensive vehicle repairs.
This funding was released by the Prime Minister's long-term decision to cancel HS2 and to re-invest every pound saved in transport infrastructure across the North, forming part of the Government's Network North initiative. The £19.8 billion Network North project includes an £8.3 billion plan to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads, as well as £2.5 billion for a tram system across West Yorkshire.
Today's £8.3 billion uplift comes in addition to the £5.5 billion already committed for 2020/21 to 2024/25 for England (excluding London), and this record boost to road maintenance funding provides long-term financial certainty to local authorities working to set their road maintenance budgets.
Commenting, Alec said, "I'm pleased that the Government have announced a record breaking investment in road repairs across the North, helping to ensure that our roads are safer and protecting motorists from costly vehicle repairs. This funding will build on the tougher sanctions that I supported earlier this year to crack down on road repair companies causing recurring potholes with poor repair works".
