Bid to get £1 million extra spent on Mansfield and Ashfield roads moves a step closer

This was after the chairman of a high level review of how the county deals with highways confirmed the proposal was being looked at.

Currently, the council allocates money by length of roads and not usage of roads.

This has led to areas like Newark and West Bridgford receiving more than £1m more on highways maintenance every year than places like Ashfield.

The news came after questions by Coun John Wilmott at the latest meeting of the council’s transport and environment committee, where Coun Neil Clarke, committee chairman, confirmed the Highways Review Panel would be ‘considering proposals to change the allocation for funding from length of roads to usage of roads.’

Coun Wilmott, of Ashfield Independents, said: “The state of our broken roads and pavements is the number one issue I deal with.

“It just goes to show that when we provide evidence of inequitable investment and the reasons why, we can force the county to rethink the way highways funding is allocated.”

Fellow Ashfield Independent Coun Tom Hollis, a member of the panel, said, “For the past four years, roads in towns like Newark and West Bridgford have enjoyed grand prix conditions, while ones in places like Ashfield and Mansfield would embarrass a Third World country.

“The Conservatives talk about levelling up the country – they have failed to even level up the county.

“The news they are considering our proposal is welcome.”

Coun Clarke said: “The Highways Capital Programme budget is based on length of road per district/borough alongside the road condition to ensure that the money is spent in the best way.

“This methodology is the nationally recognised guidance from the Department of Transport and allows us to ensure the 2,734 miles of roads we look after, across the county, are kept in a safe condition.

“The new highways cross party panel includes representatives from across the political groups and has already started to review how the capital budget is allocated.

“Improving the state of the county’s roads is number one on my priority list and I look forward to working with all my fellow county councillors to do that.”

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