Stuart Anderson MP is delighted that the City of Wolverhampton Council has been allocated £500,000 to improve the local road network. It is part a new multi-million-pound initiative to improve local roads, which will see councils across the country receive a share of £15 million in Government funding.
Wolverhampton is one of 39 local authorities across England to have been selected to receive grants of between £250,000 and £500,000 to address maintenance backlogs and improve conditions for road users. This important new funding will help to cut congestion, boost safety, and reduce journey times and emissions across the City of Wolverhampton, supporting both the economy and the environment.
The £15 million builds on £1.125 billion made available to local authorities for local road maintenance earlier in the year. In February 2021, the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority was allocated £38 million towards highways maintenance funding. This included more than £9 million to fix potholes.
The funding is part of the Government’s plan to speed up pothole repair and back new technology to make our roads safer, greener, and better. The Government already supports the use of advanced technology like drones to spot road defects and has backed 3D printing to rapidly repair road cracks. It has now announced plans to introduce a new data standard for local road condition monitoring. It will allow councils to gain more accurate and useful data so repairs can be quicker and more effective.
Stuart Anderson MP: “Enhancing transport connectivity is at the heart of our ambition to level up and unite communities across the country. Strong transport infrastructure supports local jobs, fosters economic growth, and can unlock the potential of new technology that protect our environment. I am pleased that Wolverhampton has been allocated half a million pounds in new funding to upgrade transport infrastructure. This funding, alongside other plans, will cut congestion, boost safety, and reduce journey times and emissions. All these improvements are very welcome in our area; they will help to deliver tangible improvements for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and all road users in our city.”
Secretary of State for Transport the Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP said: “Whether you’re a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian, every road-user across our country deserves the best possible journey. That’s why, despite already having some of the best and safest roads in the world, this Government is providing millions of pounds to improve them further still. This vital funding and work will cut journey times for millions of people, reduce emissions and keep the UK at the forefront of technological developments in roads maintenance, as we continue to invest in local economies and build back both better and greener from the pandemic.”
