Council Cabinet set to approve a further £10million roads spending

Cllr Beck next to a pothole in Rotherham.

Rotherham Council Cabinet is set to approve a further £10million of spending on roads improvements during the next financial year (April 2023 to April 2024).

This spending will form part of the £24m to 2024 roads improvement programme, which started in 2020 and has significantly reduced the need for pothole repairs in the past three years.

In the financial year to 2020, 24,700 pothole repairs were needed on Rotherham roads. Three-quarters of the way through this financial year, the number of repairs carried out is just 12,855.

There are planned improvements to 179 roads across all wards in the year ahead.

Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “Improving our roads is a top priority for the Council and we want the number of potholes to keep falling. We’re determined to deliver value for money and keep our roads in great condition.

“We want safe roads and pavements which residents and visitors will continue to be happy with. Our latest spending should help to maintain the nationally recognised high standards we are currently achieving.”

Last financial year (2022/2023) 221 maintenance schemes were carried out across the borough, equating to 40 miles of road and an area of almost 400,000 square metres. 

Pothole repairs statistics 2022/23 to 31/01/2023

According to Government figures, the Rotherham Council investment in roads has achieved a better than national average standard for the local classified road network (A, B and C class roads).

Over £900,000 is to be spent on improving pavements and road crossings during the year ahead.

Proposals set be presented for approval at the Cabinet meeting on Monday 24th April 2023 include planned works to create better surfaces and improved access to pavements.

The improvements will benefit people with visual impairments and wheelchair users, alongside all other pedestrians. Blister paving will be laid, along with new dropped kerb lines and 36 new crossing points at locations requested by residents, local councillors and user groups.

Pavement upgrades are due to be made at:
•    Moorate
•    Herringthorpe
•    Kiveton Park
•    Maltby
•    Wingfield
•    Todwick
•    Harthill
•    Thrybergh
•    Kilnhurst
•    Herringthorpe
•    Wickersley
•    Wath
•    Brinsworth
•    Ulley

Further information:
Rotherham Council is responsible for over 700  miles of roads, 1,300 miles of footways and public rights of way. It also maintains associated street lighting, road markings, road signs, safety barriers, traffic management systems, drainage systems and bridges.

Published: 14th April 2023