HS2 cash reallocated to rebuild roads

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Wed, 17 Apr 2024

More than 100 local authorities across England are to receive cash to help resurface roads as part of £8.3bn formerly allocated to HS2 is redistributed.

The first tranche of the cash formerly ringfenced for HS2 has already been invested to resurface roads and repair potholes.

Local councils have received £150 million, with a further £150 million set to be redistributed in the current financial year.

In return for the cash, local authorities must commit the cash to roads and pothole repairs plus publish a two-year plan outlining exactly which roads will benefit.

So far, the Department for Transport says 102 of the 119 authorities receiving funding have already detailed where the cash is being spent.

The highest volume of roads being repaired are in the West Midlands, followed by the East Midlands.

Troublespots being targeted include the A43 at Towcester, the A164 between Beverly and Hessle along with the A4146 at Leighton Buzzard. Motorists in Southport and Stockport have already seen resurfacing works.

Local authorities that fail to publish reports could see future funding to resurface roads withdrawn.

"We’re on the side of drivers," says transport secretary Mark Harper, who described the cash injection as the biggest ever funding increase for local road improvements.

"Alongside this unprecedented funding, which is already being used to improve local roads, we’re making sure local people can hold their local authority to account and see for themselves how the investment will be spent to improve local roads for years to come."

All £19.8 billion saved from the northern leg of HS2 will be reinvested in transport in the north, says the Government.

The £9.6 billion saved from the Midlands leg will be reinvested in transport across the Midlands while the £6.5 billion saved through HS2 no longer terminating at London Euston will be spread across every other region in the country.

"It’s very encouraging to see so many local authorities quickly setting out how they’ll use the first tranche of the government’s reallocated HS2 funding to improve their roads," says RAC head of policy Simon Williams.

"Drivers will be pleased to see potholes fixed and roads resurfaced, as our research shows the poor state of local carriageways is their number one concern."

Ask HJ

How do I claim for pothole damage?

I have been informed I may be able to claim for pothole damage to my tyres and alloy wheel caused by public roads. First incident was a damaged tyre which needed replacing. Second incident was damaged tyre and the alloy has a buckled side - both will need replacing. I have RAC reports stating pothole damage (one states it is pothole damage to tyre, and the most recent second incident, the RAC mechanic wrote he suspected it was pothole damage to tyre and alloy). After both incidents, I took photos of the potholes, which are large and fairly deep, and I have retained both tyres too. 1. Do I have basis to claim - if so from who and how? 2. Is there a window of time to submit a claim? 3. What information do I need for a claim? 4. How do I find out who has responsibility for the road the damage occurred on?

The body responsible for road maintenance, and therefore who you need to complain to, depends on the type of road. Motorways and major trunk roads (A-roads) are the responsibility of Highways England - you need to contact them via info@highwaysengland.co.uk in order to make a complaint. Local roads, including smaller A-roads and B-roads are the responsibility of the local council - you can use this link https://www.gov.uk/report-pothole to determine the relevant body and this will guide you through the claims process. If the pothole caused the damage to your car, you have the written reports from the RAC and photographic evidence, then you have a right to complain if you choose to do so.

Answered by David Ross

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