This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8025189.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Safety concern over road potholes | Safety concern over road potholes |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| The safety of drivers on Welsh roads is being put at risk due to a lack of funding for maintenance, it is claimed. | The safety of drivers on Welsh roads is being put at risk due to a lack of funding for maintenance, it is claimed. |
| It would take more than 15 years to repair all 94,000 potholes, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA). | It would take more than 15 years to repair all 94,000 potholes, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA). |
| The AIA said the vast majority of Welsh councils believed under-funding was threatening road users' safety. | The AIA said the vast majority of Welsh councils believed under-funding was threatening road users' safety. |
| The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said councils spent millions each year to ensure roads were safe but there was a backlog of repairs. | The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said councils spent millions each year to ensure roads were safe but there was a backlog of repairs. |
| In Wales and England, there is one hole every 110m (120 yards) of road, with £8.5bn needed to bring the condition of roads up to scratch, said the AIA following its survey of councils. | In Wales and England, there is one hole every 110m (120 yards) of road, with £8.5bn needed to bring the condition of roads up to scratch, said the AIA following its survey of councils. |
| Allowing our roads to deteriorate into such a condition is irresponsible on several levels Mike Linley, Asphalt Industry Alliance | Allowing our roads to deteriorate into such a condition is irresponsible on several levels Mike Linley, Asphalt Industry Alliance |
| Local authorities in Wales are responsible for maintaining about 95% of the road network in Wales while the assembly government looks after motorways and major trunk roads. | Local authorities in Wales are responsible for maintaining about 95% of the road network in Wales while the assembly government looks after motorways and major trunk roads. |
| The AIA, which was established in 2000 to promote the asphalt industry, said almost nine out of 10 local authorities in Wales believed there was a threat to road users' safety due to under-funding of maintenance. | The AIA, which was established in 2000 to promote the asphalt industry, said almost nine out of 10 local authorities in Wales believed there was a threat to road users' safety due to under-funding of maintenance. |
| AIA chairman Mike Linley said: "Allowing our roads to deteriorate into such a condition is irresponsible on several levels. | AIA chairman Mike Linley said: "Allowing our roads to deteriorate into such a condition is irresponsible on several levels. |
| "Local authority highway departments should not have to bear the brunt of public complaints when they are the ones who have the will and expertise to get our roads fixed. | "Local authority highway departments should not have to bear the brunt of public complaints when they are the ones who have the will and expertise to get our roads fixed. |
| "The situation could be resolved relatively swiftly by finding funding solutions that bring the bonus of creating more jobs around the country." | "The situation could be resolved relatively swiftly by finding funding solutions that bring the bonus of creating more jobs around the country." |
| Mr Linley said potholes also disrupted the flow of traffic, making roads less environmentally friendly and less safe. | Mr Linley said potholes also disrupted the flow of traffic, making roads less environmentally friendly and less safe. |
| "Vehicles that have to constantly stop and start generate more emissions and, with a road opening or pothole every 120 yards, free-flowing traffic seems like an impossible dream," he said. | "Vehicles that have to constantly stop and start generate more emissions and, with a road opening or pothole every 120 yards, free-flowing traffic seems like an impossible dream," he said. |
| POTHOLES IN WALES Total number of potholes in Wales: 94,000Average potholes per authority: 4,263Cost to fill one pothole: £46Average cost to "catch up" per authority: £22.3mTotal cost to catch up: £490.6mTime to clear backlog: 15.6 yearsRoad length in Wales: 19,992 miles (32,173km)Number of cars in Wales: 1.4mFigures: Asphalt Industry Alliance | POTHOLES IN WALES Total number of potholes in Wales: 94,000Average potholes per authority: 4,263Cost to fill one pothole: £46Average cost to "catch up" per authority: £22.3mTotal cost to catch up: £490.6mTime to clear backlog: 15.6 yearsRoad length in Wales: 19,992 miles (32,173km)Number of cars in Wales: 1.4mFigures: Asphalt Industry Alliance |
| The AIA also said the lifespan of roads was being reduced by the large number of trenches dug into roads for cables and pipes. | The AIA also said the lifespan of roads was being reduced by the large number of trenches dug into roads for cables and pipes. |
| There are more than 100,000 of these trenches in Wales, an average of more than 4,600 in each local authority area. | There are more than 100,000 of these trenches in Wales, an average of more than 4,600 in each local authority area. |
| The WLGA said Welsh councils spent millions carrying out repair and maintenance work on roads which included filling potholes. | The WLGA said Welsh councils spent millions carrying out repair and maintenance work on roads which included filling potholes. |
| "However, Welsh councils recognise that there is a backlog of repairs needed. Indeed, the Welsh Assembly Government has also recognised this and in 2007-08 committed an additional £15m per year for investing in highways maintenance," said a WLGA spokesperson. | "However, Welsh councils recognise that there is a backlog of repairs needed. Indeed, the Welsh Assembly Government has also recognised this and in 2007-08 committed an additional £15m per year for investing in highways maintenance," said a WLGA spokesperson. |
| "Whilst this investment has gone a long way to improving the condition of Welsh roads, unfortunately the assembly government has indicted that this funding will finish this financial year leaving a major hole in councils' budgets. | "Whilst this investment has gone a long way to improving the condition of Welsh roads, unfortunately the assembly government has indicted that this funding will finish this financial year leaving a major hole in councils' budgets. |
| "The WLGA will ensure that the concerns of Welsh councils are heard in Cardiff Bay ahead of this year's financial settlement and will make the case for continued funding so that councils can deliver the further improvements that are still needed" | "The WLGA will ensure that the concerns of Welsh councils are heard in Cardiff Bay ahead of this year's financial settlement and will make the case for continued funding so that councils can deliver the further improvements that are still needed" |
| Tell us about any problems you have had with potholes on roads. Are there increasing numbers of potholes in your area and are they dangerous? Send us your comments and pictures. | Tell us about any problems you have had with potholes on roads. Are there increasing numbers of potholes in your area and are they dangerous? Send us your comments and pictures. |
| I can't take this article seriously. You should see the roads here in Malta, they make British roads look amazing! Neil McLoughlin, Malta & Liverpool | |
| We have just had a major road safety scheme introduced on Cwmamman Road, where the white lines were all taken up and then repainted in different locations to 'aid safety'. The result is that where the lines were burnt off, there are deep grooves in the road and the new road layout is dangerous, not safer. So they could have saved the money and used it to fill in potholes, but instead they created potholes and created a dangerous road! Glad my money is being well spent!Gareth, Garnant, Wales | |
| This confirms my suspicions, roads have long gone in Wales they do not exist. What does exist is a series of holes surrounded by tarmacSteve, Tredegar Gwent | |
| I am constantly looking out for potholes in London its become very dangerous. I am not able to constrate on whats going on ahead. Why do we pay road tax? What is road tax for? steve, London Balham | I am constantly looking out for potholes in London its become very dangerous. I am not able to constrate on whats going on ahead. Why do we pay road tax? What is road tax for? steve, London Balham |
| Potholes are only a problem to drivers who are not paying attention. If we all watched the road & drove accordingly we wouldn't have half the problems. Having driven in rural Canada where "frost heave" can cause the road surface to rise to a level where if your not looking your vehicle can become grounded! any problems we have are minor. | Potholes are only a problem to drivers who are not paying attention. If we all watched the road & drove accordingly we wouldn't have half the problems. Having driven in rural Canada where "frost heave" can cause the road surface to rise to a level where if your not looking your vehicle can become grounded! any problems we have are minor. |
| Its also the best way of slowing traffic down? | Its also the best way of slowing traffic down? |
| DO NOT REPAIR THEM!!j.raithby, lincolnshire | DO NOT REPAIR THEM!!j.raithby, lincolnshire |
| Send your pictures to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |