Yesterday, Sarah wrote to the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, to make her aware of constituents' concerns regarding potholes and the existing road network in Wales.
Full transcript of the letter below:
Dear Minister for Climate Change,
I am writing to you on behalf of a large number of constituents in Wrexham regarding potholes and the existing road network in Wales.
Following correspondence I have received from Wrexham Council, I was surprised to read the Chief Officer’s remarks which acknowledged that there is ‘absolutely no funding’ available to elevate Wrexham’s road network to a ‘satisfactory standard.’
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government has provided over £8.6 billion in additional funding to the Welsh Government through the Barnett formula. The previous Chancellor also announced an additional £2.5 billion per year on average for the Welsh Government, on top of the annual baseline funding of £15.9 billion. This is the largest funding settlement since devolution was introduced.
Given the UK Government’s extensive financial support to the Welsh Government, I would be grateful if you could outline what additional support and investment the Welsh Government will be providing to Wrexham Council so that my constituents and visitors to Wrexham no longer need to continue to drive on pothole-filled roads which are dangerous and exposing vehicles to significant damage.
Moreover, I am aware that the Senedd has recently approved the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a new default speed limit of 20 mph in built-up areas in Wales, at a cost of £33m. You may be interested to know that in a survey held on my website, 89% of respondents did not approve of the new legislation.
Residents are telling me that action is needed in order to bring Wrexham’s road network up to a satisfactory standard, especially in light of our newly-awarded city status. I agree with my constituents and look forward to hearing what more the Welsh Government will be doing to support Wrexham Council so that they can improve Wrexham’s roads.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Atherton
Member of Parliament for Wrexham