UK Roads Buckling Under Pressure

Record levels of Traffic on UK Roads

Provisional road traffic estimates published by the Department for Transport (DfT) show that motor vehicle traffic on UK roads was at a record high in the year ending March 2016, with 318.5bn vehicle miles travelled, a 1.8% increase on the previous year.

This record figure is also up 1.3% on the previous high, recorded in the year up to September 2007, prior to the last recession.

Car traffic increased by 1.3% to a record 248.9bn vehicle miles, while van traffic continued to rise than any other vehicle type, increasing by 4.1% to a new peak of 47.3bn vehicle miles.

These figures mean that over the last 20 years, the number of vehicle miles has increased by 18.3%, with the proportion covered by cars alone increasing by 13.2%. 

Is this the main reason for the pothole plague? (report a pothole here) 

When examined by road type, the figures also show that traffic has increased everywhere, with motorways and rural roads recording their highest-ever levels: motorway traffic increased by 3.0% from the previous year, to 67.1bn vehicle miles, while traffic on all rural roads rose by 2.5% to 136.6bn vehicle miles.

And as we all look for shortcuts and alternative routes, traffic on all minor roads increased, with volumes in rural areas rising 1.4% to 44.5bn vehicle miles and traffic on minor urban roads growing very slightly by 0.2% to 65bn vehicle miles – which suggests that our towns are now almost saturated by traffic.

Over the last 20 years, traffic on motorways is up by almost a half (44.1%).

The volume of traffic on all rural roads has increased by nearly a quarter (22.9% on A roads, 23.5% on minor roads) and while there’s a slight increase of 5.6% on minor urban roads of 5.6%, traffic on urban A roads actually fell by 0.6%. 

The government ascribes the upward trend in traffic volumes to the growth in the UK economy over the last year and lower fuel prices (premium unleaded in the year ending March 2016 was 13.1p per litre cheaper than in the previous year, while diesel was 16.9p per litre cheaper).

Our friends at the RAC and RAC roads policy spokesman Nick Lyes said: “While traffic has only increased very slightly on the previous year it has taken us to record levels, but the longer-term is more concerning, with overall traffic since 1995 growing by 18.6% – in stark contrast to the overall length of our roads, which has only increased by 2.4%. 

“The data shows the length of motorways increased by 11.8%, however in the same period traffic levels on motorways increased by 44%, demonstrating that major road usage is outstripping road space. 

“The number of cars in Britain has shot up by 43% from 21m m in 1995 to over 30m in 2015, yet in that time the country’s roads are just under 6,000 miles longer. 

“Having a road network that is fit for purpose, in terms of being able to cope with increased traffic as well as being maintained to an acceptable level, is vital for a prosperous economy. There is little doubt that the government’s Road Strategy recognises the importance of this, but these figures show there is a lot of catching up that must be done.”

Our Roads Should Be Made A Priority

THE road structure across Devon is really starting to suffer from under-investment, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The organisation acknowledges that councils have been badly hit over the past years, so is calling on the government to make the road structure a priority.

A new report by the FSB shows that half of all small firms think the UK’s roads and public transport system have deteriorated in recent years.

FSB Devon regional chairman David Shephard said: “The Government is investing in transport – but the lion’s share goes to big flagship projects on the strategic road network.

“Most small businesses mainly rely on their local roads and public transport, so there is a strong case to prioritise investment in these smaller projects now since they have had little support over the recent years due to council cuts.”

UK-wide, FSB found small businesses are overwhelmingly reliant on roads, with nine out of ten firms placing high value on the network. Rural businesses are even more likely to rely on roads as they often report little or no access to public transport links like rail or buses.

A spokesperson for FSB said: “The FSB report, Going The Extra Mile: Connecting businesses and rural communities, demonstrates how congestion, poorly maintained local roads, and a lack of regional strategic planning are all combining to pose a significant economic barrier to economic growth – particularly in rural areas.

“FSB would like to see current and future devolution deals used as an opportunity for new combined authorities to commit to greater investment in local transport infrastructure.

“Protecting transport spending, alongside better strategic planning, investing in the local road network and public transport will all help support UK small businesses.

“The top three issues reported by businesses based in rural areas were congestion on local roads, potholes and the cost of fuel.

“FSB would like to see these issues addressed directly in any new local devolution deals so that funds can be protected to better maintain roads and support small firms.”

Working with FSB’s research partner Verve, the rural transport survey received 1,352 responses of which 572 came from members in either rural or remote rural areas.

Brilliant Comedy Video Highlighting Potholes in Wales (Hilarious)

POTHOLES are a pet hate for most road users including cyclists, motorcyclists and car users.

And now a hilarious YouTube video has been made by a Welsh man highlighting the problem in this superb tongue in cheek video.

https://youtu.be/m-OeG-Zt2_c

Created by Comedy Geek and alter ego " THE POTHOLIST" , the video entitled 'Pothole Extreme' is presented by Bradley Jones.

Mr Jones states "it's a busy time of year for pothole watchcers in south Wales, and you never know whats going to happent".

In this hilarious comedy video Bradley is introduced as one of the 'UK's leading experts on potholes', and runs the South Wales Amateur Pothole Society.

He is in his newsroom like office taking calls from people concerned about potholes  he co-ordinates with the callers of where to find potholes.

Bradley describes the intensity of potholes by colours, including 'code red'. for an emergency.

The video has already had hundreds of hits on youtube and is spreading like wildfire amongst haters of potholes looking for a bit of a laugh.

He tells of failed attempts for "blue light status" (the police) which he believes has failed because police do not want them "edging on their turf"

In the video Bradley describes how he takes safety "very seriously" in a geeky kind of fasion and clips on his bicycle helmet claiming he knew a man in Wales who fell in and hurt his shin.

The video includes comedy voice overs and a superb light hearted look at the pothole problem from a comedy point of view. 

Brilliant just Brilliant but should have used Street Repairs

 

Boris Johnson and Quentin Wilson. Could They Help Fix Pothole Britain With A Brexit?

BORIS JOHNSON today urged White Van Man to back a Brexit – pledging it will smash the EU “stranglehold” on petrol prices.

The Tory big hitter said leaving the EU would enable the Government to take VAT on fuel below the current 15 per cent floor set by Brussels.

Slashing VAT in half to 10 per cent would knock 9p off a litre at the pump - a bumper saving for millions of motorists.

Speaking after meeting fuel campaigners, he said: “The EU’s stranglehold on the cost of our fuel is taking money from the pockets of small business owners and emptying family wallets every time we fill up.

“Even if Britain wanted to cut the rate of VAT just on fuel we couldn’t because Brussels says no. It’s absurd.

"If we take back control we can help end the EU rip off at the pumps."

The blast came as campaign group FairFuelUK said a poll of thousands of motorists revealed a near 77 per cent wanted Britain to leave the EU. Only 13 per cent want to stay with the rest undecided.

When Labour proposed a reduced VAT on fuel in 2011, then Treasury Secretary Justine Greening said EU "does now permit a reduced rate or exemption to be applied on transport fuel". She argued it could take six years to negotiate an exemption.

The EU's VAT rules dominated the Referendum campaign earlier this year when the Government begged Brussels for the right to cut the sales tax on tampons to zero.

David Cameron in March insisted the Government would abolish the ‘tax’ as the Commission had agreed to allow countries to extend the number products member states could give zero rate.

The Treasury also vowed to confront the EU over an order to up VAT on solar panels from 5 to 20 per cent.

 

Quentin Willson, TV presenter and FairFuel campaigner, said motorists were also keen to leave the EU so the billions that goes to 'join the club' could be spent on fixing Britain’s pothole-riddled roads.

FairFuel co-founder Howard Cox told the Sun: “Boris Johnson told us that he is in no doubt that being out of the EU will be better for UK motorists, white van man and our haulage industry.

“The cost of motoring, better emissions control and improved road transport infrastructure are the key benefits to Brexit.”

Would a Brexit Benefit or Hinder Our Ailing Road Infrastructure

Major funding for road, rail and education projects would be lost if the Britain votes to quit the EU, prime minister David Cameron has warned.

He said Brexit would have a 'devastating impact' on vital infrastructure projects financed by the European Investment Bank across the UK.

The bank has invested more than £16bn in UK projects over the past three years and leaving the EU would 'see us wave goodbye to this crucial funding'.

Mr Cameron said: ' We know leaving the EU would result in an economic shock in the UK, after which we would be permanently poorer.

'We also know businesses would lose access to the single market of over 500 million people, and the contraction of our economy would mean less money for public services.'

However former London Mayor Boris Johnson, leader of the 'leave' campaign, said Britain could succeed outside the EU.

He told supporters in Bristol: 'If we vote on June 23 and take back control of our country, our economy and our democracy, then we can prosper and thrive and flourish as never before.'