Roads maintenance is a challenge
Posted on Monday 24th September 2018
Newport roads network at night
Newport City Council, like local authorities all over the UK, is struggling to maintain highways across the city.
However when compared to other areas the percentage of roads in poor repair in Newport is better than many parts of Wales.
Figures release in a report to the council scrutiny committee show that only 2.6 percent of our A roads are in poor condition compared to the Welsh average of 3.7 percent.
We are comparative with the Welsh average when it comes to the state of B roads with Newport having 4.4 percent in need of repair compared to the average of 4.3 percent.
And as far as C roads are concerned Newport is way ahead with 7.1 per cent in need of repair compared to the Welsh average of 14.1 per cent.
Figures released in a report to the council scrutiny committee show replacing the city’s highway assets which include carriageways, footways, subways, bridges, street lights and safety fences would cost £1.1 billion
The report highlights that to repair all categories of roads would require £5.3 million for the red category roads with a further £16.2 million needed for those in the amber category.
As well as road conditions deteriorating the report also identifies footway defects growing from around 800 repairs in 2016/17 to a projected 14500 in 2018/19. Repairs for all footways identified as deteriorating or in poor condition would be £14 million.
On a positive note the report does highlight that the council’s robust reactive repair programme means the roads and pavements are functionally safe however future deterioration is inevitable.