Glasgow to double cash for road repairs after winter 'havoc'.
An extra £6m will be spent to catch up on repairs
Glasgow City Council is to double its budget for road repairs after what officials say has been the worst winter for potholes in more than a decade.
The council received 7000 reports of potholes in January and February alone, partly as a result of a period of heavy persistent rain coming after the lowest temperatures in 12 years.
The £6m boost will double the current road maintenance budget and work is due to be carried to repair craters in all 23 council wards over the next year.
130 city streets have also been assessed by the council’s roads team as also requiring some resurfacing.
Winter 'havoc'
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, City Convener for Neighbourhood Services said: “The winter is always a challenging time for road maintenance and the combined impact of low temperatures, rain and snow plays havoc with the condition of Glasgow’s roads and footways. Now is the time of year we need to catch up on that work.
“As a road user myself I can see what other motorists and cyclists see and I share their frustration at the increase in the number and size of potholes and the need for often significant repairs to damaged surfaces.
“This is a bread and butter issue the public tells us it wants prioritised. That’s why we are doubling the maintenance budget this year and ensuring that residents see marked improvements in their neighbourhoods and across the whole city.”
The additional £6m of funding has been reallocated on a temporary basis from the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Improvement Fund, which is intended to provide £1m for each of the city’s 23 council wards to spend on local priorities.