Road repair scheme progressing well
05 Jun 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Thousands of metres of road and nearly 20 bridges have been improved after the council secured government highway funding last winter.
In November, Northumberland was awarded £7.7m of national highway maintenance funding to tackle potholes, repair damaged roads and invest in keeping bridges open and safe.
The latest update report to councillors show the scheme is progressing well, with approximately £4.7m of work being completed in the last financial year.
More than 16 kilometres of road has been resurfaced so far, with 19 of 32 projects earmarked for work now complete. These schemes have targeted key routes, as well as industrial estates with roads in poor condition.
A total of 24 bridges and structures were also identified for minor, but essential, repair works across Northumberland. Again, good progress has been made with 18 already completed.
Works so far have included the resurfacing of both Redesmouth Bridge and Greenhaugh Burn Bridge, essential work at Allenheads Smelt Mill and the rebuild of collapsed culverts which had caused drainage problems.
As part of the project over £2m was targeted towards smaller scale carriageway, drainage and cattle grid repairs. This countywide programme is also nearing completion.
The work forms part of the council’s Local Transport Plan Programme, and this year the authority will be investing £26m in maintaining and improving the county’s highway and transport network.
Councillor Glen Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services, said: “This was very welcome funding which has enabled us to carry out a wide range of extra road, bridge and structure repairs.
“Considering the award came in during winter, when the weather and temperatures can make road repairs extremely challenging, I’m very pleased with how much our teams have achieved over recent months.
“Alongside our comprehensive Local Transport Plan programme we’ll be working to make substantial progress on our road network over the coming months.”
To see a full breakdown of the latest progress go here