DORSET Council has been given a cash injection from central government which will go to fix the county’s many potholes.
Dorset Council was given a £2,914,000 slice of the £200 million budget set aside by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during his Spring Budget earlier this week, a near 250 per cent increase on neighbouring BCP’s funds.
BCP Council was given £850,800.
Dorset Council also monitors approximately 200 per cent more miles of road, 2,400 miles, compared with BCP Council which monitors 780 miles.
The Chancellor said the Government’s Potholes Fund – which previously provided £500 million a year to councils – will be increased to £700 million in the 2023/24 financial year.
The cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at £12.6 billion.
Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, welcomed the near £3 million cash injection from central government, describing it as “fantastic news” for Dorset.
A BCP Council spokeswoman said the council welcomes the announcement, adding: “We await further details from central government on next steps including how this funding will be distributed and applied.”
Last month it was revealed that the council dished out nearly £16,000 in compensation to people due to damage caused by potholes.
Martin Milliner, claims director at Dorset-based LV= general insurance, said: “We’ve seen pothole claims rise by 11 per cent in the last year, so investment of an extra £200 million to tackle this is welcomed.
“It will help reduce disruption on our roads and cut compensation payments.”
Dorset Council has been approached for a comment.
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