Forthcoming budget proposals from Rotherham Labour Councillors will include the biggest commitment to improve the borough’s roads for decades.

Over the last three years, Labour councillors have committed an additional £10 million to the resurfacing of roads across the borough. As a result of the 2020 Roads programme, hundreds of roads right across Rotherham have been resurfaced, and the number of potholes has already been reduced a third.

But residents tell us that there is still plenty more to do. So over the coming weeks as councillors set out their intentions for the council’s capital investment programme for the coming four years, Labour will commit to invest £24 million more over the next four years. That level of investment should further halve the number of potholes in Rotherham’s roads.

The commitment, £6 million each year for the next four years, would be the biggest investment in better roads for decades – nearly doubling the commitment of the last few years. The commitment is over and above whatever money is pledged to Rotherham roads by the government.

Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Labour’s Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety at Rotherham Council, says:

“The results of our 2020 Roads programme can be seen right across the borough as we have begun to deal with the backlog of repairs needed. Last year alone the council repaired 37 miles of roads. But we know that there is much more work still to do to improve roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike, and this commitment shows the importance that we know residents give to this work. A Labour council for the next four years will respond to residents’ concerns about our roads by delivering the biggest investment for years.”

Labour’s proposed budget and capital programme are expected to be published in full on 3 February 2020.