Additional funding announced for Devon's roads

Devon County Council has welcomed an announcement of extra Government support for Devon’s highway network.

The Department for Transport has today announced a £215 million nationwide investment to renew, repair and extend the life of roads across the country.

Devon will receive a £9.252 million share of this capital funding over the next two years for highway maintenance. The County Council will receive just over £6 million this coming financial year and just over £3.2 million in 2014/15.

The severe weather in July left Devon with a clean-up and repair bill which exceeded £5 million, and a further £3 million of damage was caused in November.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “This is very good news and is exactly the sort of support we have been calling for following the severe flooding in Devon this year. Our county took a battering last month and in the Summer. That has devastated many communities and has impacted on our local infrastructure.

“With over 8,000 miles of roads we have a larger network to maintain than any other authority in the country. Our roads are vital to our local economy and the flooding has hit Devon particularly hard. I’m pleased that the Government has recognised that with this grant; it’s an early Christmas present, if you like, and it will help us in our sustained efforts to repair our roads. This grant is also beneficial for our local economy as it will fund additional work for “shovel ready” repair schemes. We will have a thorough look at our highway infrastructure across the county to ensure this funding will be targeted at connecting smaller communities to the main road network which will help with accessibility.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced that the funding could be used for improvements such as road resurfacing, bridge maintenance or repairing damage to highway infrastructure caused by severe weather events, such as the recent flooding.

In 2011, Devon received £9.3million Winter Damage Grant, following successive harsh winters. This grant funded around 800 road repair schemes across the county. As per the Winter Damage Grant, details of how the money is being spent will be published on Devon County Council’s website at the end of each financial year to enable residents see where the money has been spent.