Staffordshire pledges extra £20m to improve county roads

STAFFORDSHIRE County Council has pledged to invest an extra £20m improving the county’s roads network.

Cllr Mike Maryon, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said the cash injection was to help fund preventative work on roads and footpaths and improve rural links.

The money, which will be invested over the next two years, is in addition to the £30m already designated for the roads maintenance budget.

The local authority said the new cash was a positive commitment at a time when other councils were cutting services and reducing investment overall.  

Money for the investment has been released through the county council’s transformation programme, which includes savings made by closing down a number of council offices across Staffordshire and the move to a more cost – effective HQ at Staffordshire Place.

Cllr Maryon said: “Local people have made it very clear to us that keeping Staffordshire roads properly maintained is their big issue. That’s why we earmarked £30m two years ago and why we are again making this our top priority for the next two years.

“Investing now makes real financial sense to avoid more costly repairs later on, but it is also important to have a top class transport network for the county economy to thrive and residents to get good jobs. This is particularly important in our rural areas which play a vital part in job creation activities such as tourism. This is why we are including rural roads of local concern into the programme this time.”