Local authorities were already facing a significant road repair backlog, with the latest estimates suggesting it would take 10 years and £12 billion to bring all surfaces up to scratch. New analysis by the cross-party Local Government Association (LGA) has found that many councils across England and Wales have been hit by a 22% rise in road maintenance costs since the war escalated. Inflation could top 22% next year – Cost of living at the latest Before the invasion in February, around 60% of bitumen – a material used to repair roads across the UK – came from Russia. Councils now have to source asphalt from other markets, increasing costs and delaying vital road repairs. Spiraling energy costs and inflation also mean there has been a 38% rise in the bill to run and repair street lights in the past six months. Some authorities are reporting their costs in these areas have doubled, the LGA said. David Renard, the agency’s transport spokesman, said global pressures had created a “perfect storm” for councils with already stretched budgets. “As this brand new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep street lights on and invest in improved local infrastructure,” he said. “Global pressures such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as rising inflation and material shortages, have created the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets.” He called on Boris Johnson’s successor – to be announced next week – to meet the increased costs for councils or risk worsening road conditions and reduced services. Read more: France has capped energy price rises at 4% – could the UK follow suit? UK consumers are borrowing on credit cards at the fastest rate since 2005 Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said a new long-term solution was needed “which does not risk road spending being permanently sidelined by authorities’ social care responsibilities”. He said: “Patching potholes may pale into insignificance as a problem compared to the devastation and human misery caused by President Putin’s actions, but the funding squeeze on local spending will soon start to look more real if the authorities fight back just to keep the street lights on.” The LGA also found that councils’ capital budgets, which support the construction of new roads and other local infrastructure, have seen an estimated 21% increase, increasing the cost of delivering investment in local areas. The analysis was based on a survey of its members and current prices. Previous LGA analysis published in June showed councils face £3.6bn of unanticipated additional cost pressures on their budgets in 2024/25 due to rising energy prices, rising inflation and national living wage pressures. The agency warned that the impact of inflation on local services would be “catastrophic” without adequate long-term funding and more powers for councils to make local decisions.

title: “Pothole Fixing Costs Soar Since Ukraine Invasion Political News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Willie Shaffer”

Local authorities were already facing a significant road repair backlog, with the latest estimates suggesting it would take 10 years and £12 billion to bring all surfaces up to scratch. New analysis by the cross-party Local Government Association (LGA) has found that many councils across England and Wales have been hit by a 22% rise in road maintenance costs since the war escalated. Inflation could top 22% next year – Cost of living at the latest Before the invasion in February, around 60% of bitumen – a material used to repair roads across the UK – came from Russia. Councils now have to source asphalt from other markets, increasing costs and delaying vital road repairs. Spiraling energy costs and inflation also mean there has been a 38% rise in the bill to run and repair street lights in the past six months. Some authorities are reporting their costs in these areas have doubled, the LGA said. David Renard, the agency’s transport spokesman, said global pressures had created a “perfect storm” for councils with already stretched budgets. “As this brand new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep street lights on and invest in improved local infrastructure,” he said. “Global pressures such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as rising inflation and material shortages, have created the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets.” He called on Boris Johnson’s successor – to be announced next week – to meet the increased costs for councils or risk worsening road conditions and reduced services. Read more: France has capped energy price rises at 4% – could the UK follow suit? UK consumers are borrowing on credit cards at the fastest rate since 2005 Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said a new long-term solution was needed “which does not risk road spending being permanently sidelined by authorities’ social care responsibilities”. He said: “Patching potholes may pale into insignificance as a problem compared to the devastation and human misery caused by President Putin’s actions, but the funding squeeze on local spending will soon start to look more real if the authorities fight back just to keep the street lights on.” The LGA also found that councils’ capital budgets, which support the construction of new roads and other local infrastructure, have seen an estimated 21% increase, increasing the cost of delivering investment in local areas. The analysis was based on a survey of its members and current prices. Previous LGA analysis published in June showed councils face £3.6bn of unanticipated additional cost pressures on their budgets in 2024/25 due to rising energy prices, rising inflation and national living wage pressures. The agency warned that the impact of inflation on local services would be “catastrophic” without adequate long-term funding and more powers for councils to make local decisions.

title: “Pothole Fixing Costs Soar Since Ukraine Invasion Political News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-16” author: “Ellen Mitchell”

Local authorities were already facing a significant road repair backlog, with the latest estimates suggesting it would take 10 years and £12 billion to bring all surfaces up to scratch. New analysis by the cross-party Local Government Association (LGA) has found that many councils across England and Wales have been hit by a 22% rise in road maintenance costs since the war escalated. Inflation could top 22% next year – Cost of living at the latest Before the invasion in February, around 60% of bitumen – a material used to repair roads across the UK – came from Russia. Councils now have to source asphalt from other markets, increasing costs and delaying vital road repairs. Spiraling energy costs and inflation also mean there has been a 38% rise in the bill to run and repair street lights in the past six months. Some authorities are reporting their costs in these areas have doubled, the LGA said. David Renard, the agency’s transport spokesman, said global pressures had created a “perfect storm” for councils with already stretched budgets. “As this brand new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep street lights on and invest in improved local infrastructure,” he said. “Global pressures such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as rising inflation and material shortages, have created the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets.” He called on Boris Johnson’s successor – to be announced next week – to meet the increased costs for councils or risk worsening road conditions and reduced services. Read more: France has capped energy price rises at 4% – could the UK follow suit? UK consumers are borrowing on credit cards at the fastest rate since 2005 Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said a new long-term solution was needed “which does not risk road spending being permanently sidelined by authorities’ social care responsibilities”. He said: “Patching potholes may pale into insignificance as a problem compared to the devastation and human misery caused by President Putin’s actions, but the funding squeeze on local spending will soon start to look more real if the authorities fight back just to keep the street lights on.” The LGA also found that councils’ capital budgets, which support the construction of new roads and other local infrastructure, have seen an estimated 21% increase, increasing the cost of delivering investment in local areas. The analysis was based on a survey of its members and current prices. Previous LGA analysis published in June showed councils face £3.6bn of unanticipated additional cost pressures on their budgets in 2024/25 due to rising energy prices, rising inflation and national living wage pressures. The agency warned that the impact of inflation on local services would be “catastrophic” without adequate long-term funding and more powers for councils to make local decisions.

title: “Pothole Fixing Costs Soar Since Ukraine Invasion Political News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-23” author: “Evelyn Domke”

Local authorities were already facing a significant road repair backlog, with the latest estimates suggesting it would take 10 years and £12 billion to bring all surfaces up to scratch. New analysis by the cross-party Local Government Association (LGA) has found that many councils across England and Wales have been hit by a 22% rise in road maintenance costs since the war escalated. Inflation could top 22% next year – Cost of living at the latest Before the invasion in February, around 60% of bitumen – a material used to repair roads across the UK – came from Russia. Councils now have to source asphalt from other markets, increasing costs and delaying vital road repairs. Spiraling energy costs and inflation also mean there has been a 38% rise in the bill to run and repair street lights in the past six months. Some authorities are reporting their costs in these areas have doubled, the LGA said. David Renard, the agency’s transport spokesman, said global pressures had created a “perfect storm” for councils with already stretched budgets. “As this brand new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep street lights on and invest in improved local infrastructure,” he said. “Global pressures such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as rising inflation and material shortages, have created the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets.” He called on Boris Johnson’s successor – to be announced next week – to meet the increased costs for councils or risk worsening road conditions and reduced services. Read more: France has capped energy price rises at 4% – could the UK follow suit? UK consumers are borrowing on credit cards at the fastest rate since 2005 Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said a new long-term solution was needed “which does not risk road spending being permanently sidelined by authorities’ social care responsibilities”. He said: “Patching potholes may pale into insignificance as a problem compared to the devastation and human misery caused by President Putin’s actions, but the funding squeeze on local spending will soon start to look more real if the authorities fight back just to keep the street lights on.” The LGA also found that councils’ capital budgets, which support the construction of new roads and other local infrastructure, have seen an estimated 21% increase, increasing the cost of delivering investment in local areas. The analysis was based on a survey of its members and current prices. Previous LGA analysis published in June showed councils face £3.6bn of unanticipated additional cost pressures on their budgets in 2024/25 due to rising energy prices, rising inflation and national living wage pressures. The agency warned that the impact of inflation on local services would be “catastrophic” without adequate long-term funding and more powers for councils to make local decisions.