County’s roads face ‘inevitable decline’

DEVON’S road network faces an “inevitable decline” due to a lack of funding, a new report reveals. The county council’s latest highways management plan details how current levels of investment mean the worsening condition of some roads is “unavoidable,” with a strategy now in place for “managing decline”.

One opposition councillor has reacted by saying minor rural roads could end up being so bad that residents may want to consider getting a horse.

The management plan, presented to a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, explained how the annual settlement for highways maintenance – around £25 million last year – has halved in real terms compared to a decade ago.

“This also has the knock-on impact of forcing a change in priorities, with safety taking higher consideration and proactive works being stopped, contributing to a more rapid deterioration of roads,” it explained.

Capital funding from the Department for Transport is also now lower in real terms than it was in 2014/15, although there was a one-off increase in 2020/21, while an extra £9.4 million for potholes has increased the total for the new financial year.

But councillors are being warned that the funding pressures mean potholes are “likely to become more prevalent, leading to a rise in unplanned and disruptive maintenance”.

The report adds: “In the long term there will also be an impact on the selection of journey routes and the reliability of journey times.”

Devon has more than 8,000 miles of road; the largest road network in the country.

Overall county council spending will increase by 10.5 per cent this financial year, but most of it is set aside for adult and children’s services. Climate change, environment and transport has received just a 3.5 per cent boost, well below inflation.

Roads will now only be repaired after assessment against a set of “management strategies”, with “priority assets” receiving targeted investment. The council also wants to maintain the current condition of A and B roads.

However, the lack of money means Devon’s minor roads could “gradually deteriorate,” while unclassified roads will get “minimal maintenance,” apart from safety and routine maintenance.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highways, said: “Like all authorities, Devon is facing significant financial pressures which have been compounded further by the recent high inflation.” He added the service had “continued to focus on improving efficiencies alongside innovation, recognising that in the absence of adequate funding, the service must prioritise and best manage a decline.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Alistair Dewhirst suggested minor roads could end up being so bad that residents may have to consider equine forms of transport. “If you’re a resident in a minor rural road, effectively with the decline that is implicit in this report, you’re just going to be landlocked. You’re just going to have to walk everywhere or maybe get a horse.”

Cllr Dewhirst also claimed it would cost £180 million to improve Devon’s roads. This figure was acknowledged by county council director of transport Meg Booth, who said it would allow all roads to be at least ‘amber’ on a trafficlight scale of concern.