Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of peat soils on road maintenance.

Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 place a statutory duty on local highway authorities to maintain public highways, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances.

The Department is aware of the challenges associated with peat soil. The Department is undertaking a comprehensive review of the highways maintenance guidance it provides to local highway authorities in the Well Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice, which will incorporate and signpost best practice guidance for treating soil affected roads. This will be completed at the end of 2026.

To support local highway authorities in the maintenance of their highway networks, the Government has confirmed a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years. This record investment builds on the investment of £1.6 billion this financial year, a £500 million increase compared to the previous financial year.