Bleak Future for Oxfordshire's Highways (Wantage and Didcot Liberal Democrats)

Wantage and Didcot Liberal Democrats <info@wantagelibdems.org.uk>

Bleak Future for Oxfordshire's Highways

February 11, 2009 3:53 PM
Originally published by Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats

Roadworks sign The roads, pavements and cycleways of Oxfordshire are set to continue to deteriorate, with construction inflation costs at 12% and rising. The County Council's Conservative administration has failed over the last few years to fund road maintenance adequately.

Cllr Roz Smith, Shadow Cabinet member for Transport, said during the budget debate in council this week: "The number of potholes and roads with uneven surfaces is increasing year on year. The maintenance regime will have to be adapted to deal with emergency events at any time of year - it will barely scratch the surface of non-emergency repairs."

The alternative Liberal Democrat budget had proposed an additional £500,000 for road, pavement and cyclepath maintenance, as well as £200,000 for additional pedestrian crossings. Money was also set aside to improve control of weeds, another area which the Conservatives have failed to get to grips with.

The budget for this work was found by reintroducing parking charges for on-street parking in Oxford City Centre in the evenings and on Sundays. This measure would also reduce congestion, encourage use of the free parking at the Park and Rides, and improve air quality in the city.