Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the use by local authorities of central government grants to tackle potholes.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department’s annual road condition statistics suggest that the condition of our roads is improving. The Department’s analysis estimated that the Highways Maintenance Block funding to local authorities provided very high value for money, with a Benefit Cost Ratio of just over 7. However no specific evaluation has been undertaken on the effectiveness of the use by local authorities of central government grants to tackle potholes.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of legislation related to compensation for people whose vehicles are damaged by unreported potholes.
Answered by Andrew Jones
It is for each highway authority to decide on what compensation is provided to those who have a legitimate claim in relation to a defect on the public highway based on the statutory legislation as set out in the Highways Act 1980 (as amended).
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the provision of additional junctions to decrease ramp times on the strategic road network (a) in general and (b) at the missing Junction 6 of the M27.
Answered by John Hayes
Highways England is guided by the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges on the provision of new accesses and interchanges to the Strategic Road Network. As well as monitoring traffic flow data, they assess information from local development plans and local highway and planning authorities to identify when and where additional junctions are required.
I understand you met recently with Highways England at which unfortunately you were advised that a new junction could not be built to current standards at this location on the M27 due to other road improvements made since the motorway was constructed. Highways England is continuing to discuss this important matter with the local planning authority and monitoring developments in the vicinity.