Following our Valentine's Day campaign last year, we can confirm that we're going one step further this year: Bury Conservatives would spend the entire pothole budget allocation for 2022/23 on fixing potholes and end the situation of it being just another budget line.
The council’s revised budget at the end of December showed that £2,955,000 had been earmarked for fixing potholes. However, the Labour Council is only forecasting a spend of just £146,000 from its ‘potholes fund’ in the 12 months up to the end of March, 2022.
By spending the £2,955,000 budget allocation the Conservative Group would ensure over 50,000 potholes were filled across the borough. A pothole costs on average £55 to fill.
The 2022/23 budget passed through Full Council last year yet the Labour Council has only spent £146k to date.
We will work with communities and Highways Officers to identify priorities. The Conservative Group proposal will ensure that there is enough money to fill c8,000 potholes in each township.
Giving each Town an equal share is a priority to ensure we put an end to favouritism of projects by the current Labour administration. No matter which Party represents an area we will ensure there is equal funding.
Cllr. Nick Jones, Leader of Bury Conservatives said:
“I am delighted to announce on Valentines Day that the Conservative Group will give our roads some love. Where the Labour Council leave funds sat in a bank account we pledge to spend the budget and get the potholes filled. Council budgets should be spent.
“It is an absolute disgrace that the Council have got millions of pounds sat in the bank ring-fenced for potholes and not doing anything to spend it.
“For many years the Conservative Group have called on extra funding in this area. We are committed to seeing our potholes filled. Our commitment and contract with the residents of our wonderful towns is to make sure we have roads fit for purpose.
Cllr. Jackie Harris, Shadow Cabinet Member for Highways said:
“The Conservative Group have identified in the budget that over £2 million pound is unspent whilst at the same time our roads across the borough are riddled with potholes.
“Whether you live in Ramsbottom, Tottington, Bury, Radcliffe, Whitefield or Prestwich we committed to getting the potholes filled.”
