Funding to fix 7,000 more potholes proposed

The Progressive Alliance that runs Milton Keynes Council will propose funding to fix an additional 7000 more potholes as part of their budget plans.

Proposals to be made by the Cabinet will see an additional £250,000 of funding potentially allocated next year, enough to fix an additional 7,000 potholes across Milton Keynes. It is also proposed that £50,000 of that funding be brought forward for use in February and March.

Very wet conditions over the autumn months and cold spells in January and February mean that early in the new year usually sees an increase in potholes and the need for more repairs. While urgent repairs are carried out over the winter months, the majority of general repairs take place beginning at the end of February and into the spring as weather conditions improve.

While potholes peak during the winter months, Milton Keynes has recently been highlighted in several independent reports as having some of the best maintained roads in England and the extra funding will look to keep those high standards.

The whole of the Council will decide in the middle of February whether to agree the extra pothole funding and the overall budget.

Cllr Lauren Townsend, Cabinet Member for Highways said:

"I'm pleased that as part of our budget we will be proposing funding that will be enough to fix around 7,000 extra potholes."

She continued:

"Every year around this time we see a peak in the number of potholes due to autumn rain and the frost in the early new year while standard repairs slow due to the cold winter months. The extra funding, and bringing some of that forward, will mean as soon as the weather improves we will be out fixing thousands of potholes."

She concluded:

"Fixing as many potholes as we can, making repairs last longer and getting value for money are our priorities and they are reflected in the budget and these proposals that all councillors will vote on in February."