Joint Statement regarding the state of Nottinghamshire’s road network
Today, we as Labour MPs representing communities across Nottinghamshire met with the Leader and senior officers of Nottinghamshire County Council and fellow Nottinghamshire MPs to discuss the diabolical state of roads across our county and the urgent action needed to address it.
Working with the Labour Government and the Labour East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, we have secured a record uplift in funding for road maintenance for Nottinghamshire County Council – increasing from £18 million to almost £50 million, with further funding to come. This investment must now be used to deliver the improvements residents rightly expect to see.
During today’s constructive meeting we were informed that a shocking decision was taken by the previous Conservative administration in charge of the County Council to stop surface dressing repairs in 2017/18, alongside a decision not to fund specific winter maintenance on our roads this year – both of these decisions have contributed significantly to the road network across Nottinghamshire being in the worst condition it has ever been.
The immediate £2 million injection of cash to repair some of the most dangerous roads across the county is welcome, as is the trial of JCB’s Pothole Pro machines across Nottinghamshire. We will monitor this closely to see what impact it has on improving the situation. We also welcome £5 million being invested in ten new permanent “First Time” teams who will work year-round to carry out right-first-time repairs across Nottinghamshire. However, much more still needs to be done to restore public confidence in the condition of our roads.
It’s deeply concerning that around half of Nottinghamshire’s road network currently does not meet the national anti-slip standard, and that Nottinghamshire has the worst condition of unclassified roads in the country (according to official data) – a stark indication of just how serious the problem has become.
At today’s meeting we pressed the County Council leadership on a number of urgent issues on behalf of our constituents.
- First, we asked for a clear and transparent plan to address the immediate crisis on our roads. Thanks to the pressure from residents across Nottinghamshire, the Council has now confirmed that a plan is forthcoming, with new road maintenance schemes beginning next week and further schemes for the years ahead to be announced within the next two weeks.
- Second, we demanded a drastic improvement in the quality of repairs carried out, with a “right first time” approach that ensures work is done to a high standard and lasts.
- We also called for a significantly improved system for residents to report potholes and road defects. This must include the ability to report multiple defects in a single report and allow residents to attach photographic evidence, ensuring the true scale of problems cannot be downplayed or dismissed.
- We made clear that residents are rightly frustrated when the County Council visits a location, repairs one pothole and leaves several others untouched nearby. That approach must end.
- In addition, we asked the Council to make it far easier for residents to access clear information on its website about how to claim compensation when their vehicles are damaged by potholes or road defects.
We were told all these points will be worked on and addressed.
We also urged the County Council to allocate more of its currently unallocated reserves to help tackle the immediate emergency on our roads. The Leader of the Council assured us that this is now being actively
looked at.
We pressed for improvements in the durability of repairs and for the Council to prioritise resurfacing and repairing some of the very worst roads in communities across Nottinghamshire to demonstrate real progress in getting on top of the problem.
We were also told that the “steady state” funding shortfall for carriageway repairs is now estimated to be just over £3.7 million – a gap which, if addressed, would make a real difference.
Working with the Labour Government and the Labour Mayor of the East Midlands, we have already secured a record £50 million for Nottinghamshire County Council to begin tackling the crisis on our roads.
We will continue working to secure further funding, but we expect this precious taxpayers’ money to be spent on effective, lasting repairs – not shoddy work.
Today’s meeting was not about finger-pointing or shouting from the sidelines. It was about working constructively with the County Council leadership while robustly challenging them on behalf of the people we represent.
We appreciate the time and constructive engagement from the Leader of the County Council and his senior officers and will continue to support efforts to turn this crisis on our roads around.
We will continue to speak up for our constituents on this important issue and press those responsible to ensure Nottinghamshire’s road network is brought back up to the standard our residents deserve. For too long, poor roads have cost local people far too much in damage to their vehicles and frustration in their daily journeys. That must now change.
Michael Payne MP – Gedling
Michelle Welsh MP – Sherwood Forest
Steve Yemm MP – Mansfield
Jo White MP – Bassetlaw
James Naish MP – Rushcliffe
Juliet Campbell MP – Broxtowe