£12m more for Welsh roads as election nears

The Welsh Government has announced an extra £12m for local authorities to 'fix potholes and improve roads, pavements and active travel routes' across the country.

Officials said the extra cash will allow local authorities to continue with planned highways maintenance works, ‘boosting the economy and making active travel safer’, and that local authorities will also be better able to respond to the impact of recent weather events, including damage to highways caused by flooding.

The devolved Government said the cash further highlights its commitment to high quality active travel and public transport.

Its new transport strategy, Llwybr Newydd, published last week, pledged an increase in the number of people using public active travel or walking and cycling to get around and highlighted the need to make best use of existing infrastructure through effective maintenance and management.

Local government and housing minister Julie James said: ‘We know that during the pandemic with a quieter road network most councils have already made good use of the opportunity to undertake repairs and improvements.

‘We are providing this extra funding to reflect the flood damage we have seen to highways across Wales and the ways in which we are using our local environment differently.

‘By providing this extra funding, we are enabling local authorities to continue making improvements to roads in Wales, boosting the economy and making roads safer for active travel.’

The current Welsh Government is a Labour-led administration, although the party does not have a majority. An election for the Senedd is due to be held on 6 May.