Much like elsewhere in the country, most people in the Forest of Dean travel by road, and potholes on those roads can cause misery for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow and dangerous journeys.
That is why, as Secretary of State for Transport, I have announced that today, the Government will be redirecting £8.3 billion of funding previously earmarked for HS2 to resurface over 5,000 miles of road across the country over the next 11 years. This includes an extra £87.9 million to improve roads in Gloucestershire with £2.8 million in each of this year and next.
Local authorities like Gloucestershire County Council can use their share of the £8.3 billion to identify what local roads are in most need of repair and deliver immediate improvements for communities and residents.
The Government had already confirmed £5.5 billion up until 2024/25 to improve the condition of our roads outside of London, which includes the £200 million announced by the Chancellor at the Budget in March. Today’s £8.3 billion nationwide boost comes on top of that and extends until 2034, providing long-term certainty to local authorities and helping to prevent potholes from coming back in the future.
