Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the resilience of soil affected roads.

The Department is aware of the challenges associated with soil affected roads. Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, the statutory responsibility for maintaining the public highway rests with local highway authorities, who are best placed to make decisions based on their local knowledge and circumstances.

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 highway maintenance over the next four years.

In addition, the Department has recently undertaken a comprehensive review of the Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure Code of Practice, a guidance document for local highways authorities. The updated code has strengthened guidance on resilience, climate adaptation and risk-based asset management.