The Audit Commission today published its 'Going the distance' report on value for money in road maintenance.

Recent weather events have highlighted the problems associated with poorly maintained or reinstated highways. Local authorities have revealed a backlog of 11 years in their road maintenance budgets just to bring the network up to a suitable standard. The real cost of delays due to poor quality infrastructure and the cost of accidents are high, consequently one of the main priorities for any government has to be in the maintenance of our existing network.

As national and local budgets are being squeezed by ever increasing pressures, preventative maintenance can provide efficiency savings in the long term for the highway authority. A well maintained and efficient highway network is also essential to support the future economic development of the country. The introduction of long term asset management plans to maintain highways in an appropriate condition at a minimum whole life cost are essential as reactive maintenance is extremely inefficient. Recompense is required for the additional maintenance costs, currently borne by highway authorities, resulting from the long term damage caused by all trenching in the highway.  Charging all those opening the highway would assist in reducing the maintenance funding deficit by at least £70m a year.

CIHT calls for the introduction and development of comprehensive asset management plans that will ensure cost effective solutions whilst ensuring reinstatement and maintenance are carried out to the necessary high standard

Download a copy of the Going the distance Report