What is going to happen to our roads?
Discussion
This is a serious question - not just a moan thread.
Our roads are terrible - we know this. They are an order of magnitude worse than most of Europe that I have experienced, even a decent percentage of former Eastern-block countries are far better.
Since the start of this year, the weather has taken a particular toll, and the patches-on-patches are completely failing. Trunk roads will no doubt get a semi-passable repair, but there doesn't seem to be anything planned for the thousands of miles of important but more minor roads. Certainly not the full scale resurface that is needed.
Generally, 10-15 years ago most roads were OK now they're not. What does everyone expect the situation to be in 10-15 years time? At the same rate of deterioration, I think a lot of routes may be impassible. Can that be left to happen?
Our roads are terrible - we know this. They are an order of magnitude worse than most of Europe that I have experienced, even a decent percentage of former Eastern-block countries are far better.
Since the start of this year, the weather has taken a particular toll, and the patches-on-patches are completely failing. Trunk roads will no doubt get a semi-passable repair, but there doesn't seem to be anything planned for the thousands of miles of important but more minor roads. Certainly not the full scale resurface that is needed.
Generally, 10-15 years ago most roads were OK now they're not. What does everyone expect the situation to be in 10-15 years time? At the same rate of deterioration, I think a lot of routes may be impassible. Can that be left to happen?
kambites said:
Speak for yourself. I've driven in about half of countries in the EU and a good few outside it and I've encountered very few places with better roads than Hampshire and an awful lot which are much, much worse.
Well maybe Hampshire is the exception, as I haven't driven there much recently. Or maybe you've driven the other half of European countries that I have, or maybe I needed to be more explicit and say "our road surface is terrible". But really, my experience is that other countries road surfaces are in general not breaking up and completely failing in the way much of the UK is. I'm not saying they're perfect, but they are not crumbling away without proper repairs.One way or another, we need more money hitting the budgets for road repairs (and other civic infrastructure and institutions too) IMO.
Since I suppose the issue of tax is inevitable in this conversation, I looked up this. It is from Wikipedia so 100% guaranteed correct...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by...
Interesting that the UK is so low in it's tax contributions - especially since we have probably well above average overseas-aid and defence spend compared to some. Coupled with what is claimed to be vast public spending waste, it does give the impression that the outlook for domestic finances are not too bright.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by...
Interesting that the UK is so low in it's tax contributions - especially since we have probably well above average overseas-aid and defence spend compared to some. Coupled with what is claimed to be vast public spending waste, it does give the impression that the outlook for domestic finances are not too bright.
Limpet said:
A ring fenced 1p a litre addition to fuel duty would fill a £400m black hole in just over a year, based on a typical 36 billion retail litres of fuel sold in a year, as well as provide a healthy fund for ongoing maintenance.
If it was clear that the money would go to the road network and not get lost/wasted on other stuff, I'd happily support it. Something needs to be done.
I'd happily support it too. But although it would help, I thought the "black hole" was nearer £5-10+ Bn?If it was clear that the money would go to the road network and not get lost/wasted on other stuff, I'd happily support it. Something needs to be done.
On another note, just because you saw the pothole once before, does not mean it is always avoidable. Sometimes it seems like every thread gets derailed with victim blaming... There are a hundred reasons why someone can't avoid a pothole (and 99 of them do not imply that it is a miracle they haven't mown down a child). BUT, at 3mm tread left, the tyre is 80% of the way to being illegal (assuming a standard 8mm start depth)
Why not accept bad luck, replace the tyre out of your own pocket (the bill is £550, but the the pothole only ruined £55 of tyre), and save the council the money of fighting it and possibly/probably paying for the tyre? I have taken a pothole damaged tyre on the chin, and if others did the same, there'd be a whole lot extra cash in the bank to actually repair the road
Fastpedeller said:
Are you a troll? So we just accept it?
Erm... No?If the road has holes, report them. Keep hassling up the chain as required depending on the severity and uselessness of the council.
If the crapness of the road costs you a brand new £300 tyre, claim. But if it costs you the last mill of a tyre that was near replacement anyway, consider not claiming for that to leave some cash in the coffers to do actual repairs.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff