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AIA responds to Government commitments to invest in road resurfacing
Commenting on Government announcements to redirect transport investment, including £8.3 billion into road resurfacing to ‘end the scourge of potholes’, Rick Green, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance said: ““Funding for the local road network has fallen short for many years resulting in declining conditions and a rising bill to put it right. “Local roads […]
Working for better roads: A call for the re-instatement of targeted and accountable support for local road maintenance
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Better Roads has issued a report calling for central government to re-instate effective ring-fencing and multi-year settlements for local road maintenance.
The report – researched and part-funded by the AIA, which jointly supports the APPG – draws on a review of the Pothole Action Fund (2015/16-2020/21) using data from the AIA’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey reports. It demonstrates that the Pot Hole Action Fund was a successful policy which contributed to marked improvements in the overall structural conditions on the local road network – but since its replacement gains made have been lost.
Comment on LGA pothole repair funding in UK
Commenting on the LGA’s analysis that highway maintenance funding in UK is one of lowest in OECD AIA Chair, Rick Green said: “It’s no surprise that the Local Government Association’s (LGA) analysis has found UK highway maintenance budgets at the low end of the OECD scale. The picture of managed decline reflects the findings of […]
Road statistics highlight reliance on local roads
Traffic on local roads is returning to pre-pandemic levels faster than on either the strategic road network or railways.
Comment on Spring Budget 2023
Commenting on the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, AIA Chair Rick Green said: “The additional £200m one-off payment for local roads in England is welcome, but it’s a fraction of the amount local authorities have reported over decades that they need to keep their networks to target conditions, let alone tackle the backlog of carriageway repairs. “The […]
National Pothole Day
Commenting on National Pothole Day AIA Chair, Rick Green said: “It’s important to stress that, from a highway engineering perspective, potholes are not inevitable. “They are the result of poorly maintained roads due to long term under-funding. Repeatedly filling potholes is indicative of a network on the edge and is less efficient when it comes […]
Comment on the Autumn Budget 2022
Commenting on the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, AIA Chair Rick Green said: “It’s promising that the Chancellor’s speech today recognised the importance of sustained investment in infrastructure to keep the country connected, drive economic prosperity and support levelling-up. What remains to be seen is the level of funding that maintaining existing assets, including our vital local […]
“Making Warm the Norm” – the case for Warm Mix Asphalts bolstered by award nomination
Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) partners – MPA Asphalt (Mineral Products Association) and Eurobitume UK– in conjunction with National Highways – secured a nomination for a prestigious sustainability award.
Paving the way for lower carbon roadworks
The Government’s low carbon agenda has moved another step forward with today’s announcement by Highways England to encourage the use of Warm Mix Asphalts (WMAs) as standard on our key routes. The Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), which represents the asphalt industry, welcomes the move which could help cut the CO2 emissions associated with asphalt production […]
Inconsistent roads funding leads to quick fixes rather than long term solutions
Maintaining roads to target conditions is still out of reach for local authorities in England and Wales despite an increase in highway maintenance budgets, reports this year’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey. The ALARM survey, published today (March 31, 2021) by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), shows that the legacy of inconsistent funding […]