Surrey ranked ninth in region for state of its roads (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Surrey ranked ninth in region for state of its roads

1:00pm Tuesday 17th July 2012 in News

Surrey has been ranked as ninth out of the region’s 18 local authorities for the state of its roads.

The county polled half-way in the survey into the region’s worst roads carried out for the GMB public services union.

With the union claiming the results showed roads across the South-east “are in a shocking state with almost a third needing attention,” Surrey’s highways came in with 24% on amber, meaning some deterioration had taken place and they should be investigated to see if the road needs treatment, and 4% on red or ‘poor,’ meaning considerable deterioration had taken place, and they may need maintenance in the next 12 months.

The GMB found that across the region, 32% of roads required attention, with those on the Isle of Wight the worst.

The survey put 26% of the roads in the region at amber, and 6% at red or poor.

Nationally, 25% of the roads in England were recorded as being on amber, and 5% on red or poor, with, on the other hand, 70% of the observed road sections in a good condition.

The statistics were gathered from each local authority using Scanner Surveys for the year 2010 to 2011, the latest available data.

The automated surveys use Scanner vehicles, which assess the surface conditions of A, B and C classed roads, and are published by the Department of Transport.

Paul Maloney, GMB regional secretary, said: “It is clear from the official data that our roads are in a shocking state with almost a third needing attention.”

Mr Maloney continued: “Many roads are so broken up and strewn with potholes that motorists are suffering damage to wheels and suspension, with compensation claims up by 40% in some parts of the country.

“Local authorities are cutting back on road maintenance because of the budget cuts forced on them by the Government, so the problem is likely to get worse.

“Indeed, even when repairs are being carried out, it is often done on the cheap to a low standard, so it’s soon in a mess again.”

He said: “Every community has a right to expect decent roads and councils should be recognising this as a priority.”