Millions pledged to fix potholes in Bracknell
The area was ranked as one of the worst in the country for potholes in 2023
Millions of pounds will be invested in fixing Bracknell’s roads after it was ranked as one of the worst areas for potholes.
The government has given Bracknell Forest more than £850,000 in extra funding to fix its roads, bringing the total investment up to £3.29 million.
The area was ranked as one of the worst areas in the country for potholes in 2023, according to research.
An extra £2 million was pledged last year after councillor said that roads in the town were in an ‘appalling state’.
Another £2.7 million is being proposed from the council this year as part of draft budget plans.
But plans also revealed the authority could be carry out less works and eliminate ‘discretionary’ cases to manage its finances next year.
The aim to deal with issues relating to highway safety over aesthetic reasons could save the authority £15,000 amid a potential £3 million overspend.
Another £150,000 could be saved by acting faster with emergency and urgent repairs. The council is hoping to reduce ‘reactive maintenance’, meaning it will look to make repairs before something has completely broken down.
Draft budget proposals announced this month showed the council could reduce the number of ‘looks-related’ incidents to roads, and instead focus on ‘statutory requirements’.
Bracknell’s MP Peter Swallow said the funding would be used to get Bracknell Forest’s roads in a ‘fit state after years of neglect’.
It will be target-dependent to ensure that councils are delivering real improvements.