Logistics UK: stricter rules for pothole funding must address road renewal

In response to the Department for Transport’s announcement today (14 April) that councils will face greater scrutiny regarding how they spend funding to fix potholes and maintain local roads, Jonathan Walker, Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy at Logistics UK said:

“Today’s announcement is welcomed by the logistics sector, as it puts greater emphasis on planned, preventative road maintenance.

“More than 80% of UK freight travels on roads, and with the country’s roads allowed to disintegrate over the past decade, it is estimated that potholes cost the UK economy over £14.4 billion a year from damaged vehicles and longer journey times.

“Logistics UK has been pressing government for a proactive approach to be taken to maintaining the road network for some time. Our members will be pleased that the government is listening to their concerns and placing a sharper focus on maintenance and renewing roads before they fail.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk