Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Road maintenance backlog cost estimated to have significantly increased to over £15.6 billion.
Conclusion
The Department also expects the cost of dealing with the backlog in road maintenance to have increased since its last estimate in 2019 of between £7.6 billion and £11.7 billion. The Department told us that all the evidence suggested that the backlog would have become worse, given the severe weather conditions and very wet winters in the years since its estimate, as well as accounting for inflation.19 The Asphalt Industry Alliance estimated the cost of the backlog in 2023–24 as over £15.6 billion, based on a survey of local authorities.20
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation about the increasing road maintenance backlog and is taking steps to gain a greater understanding of network condition. This includes engaging with MHCLG to make new PAS 2161 reporting requirements mandatory in England and exploring greater data sharing with Mayoral Combined Authorities.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the local highway network, and how this maps onto the structures that are being set up to allow further devolution. As this work progresses the department will, as is usual, engage with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local government to make the case for obtaining this data. 2.3 An example of this is that the department collaborated with local government to change the annual road condition reporting requirements, producing the new British Standard for Road Condition Monitoring (PAS 2161). The department has now begun engagement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to change the single data list, to introduce the new reporting requirements against PAS 2161 as a mandatory requirement in England. 2.4 Another example of this is that the department is exploring how the aforementioned outcomes frameworks underpinning the integrated settlement can leverage greater data- sharing (as part of six-monthly reporting) between Mayoral Combined Authorities and the department on top of indicators with attached targets.