£10m funding agreed to help fill Rotherham's in potholes

SENIOR councillors are to approve £10 million to improve Rotherham’s roads — but lower their targets for the proportion of main roads which need no repair.

The spend for 2023/24 is the last tranche of a £24 million pot set aside in 2020, since when more than 52,000 potholes have been dealt with.

The last of the “£24m to 2024” project in the coming 12 months will see improvements at 179 roads across all wards in the borough.

But Rotherham Council’s target for the proportion of “principal” roads classed as green status — needing no repairs — will be dropped from 81 per cent to 72.

Likewise, the green target for the “non-principal” network will be cut from 79 per cent to 66 per cent, under changes also going before cabinet on Monday.

Cllr Dominic Beck, RMBC’s cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “Improving our roads is a top priority for the council and we want the number of potholes to keep falling.

“We’re determined to deliver value for money and keep our roads in great condition. We want safe roads and pavements which residents and visitors will continue to be happy with.

“Our latest spending should help to maintain the nationally recognised high standards we are currently achieving.”

The current year’s efforts have seen 221 projects repair or improve 41 miles of road — an area equivalent to 55 football pitches.

There were 24,700 potholes filled in 2019/20 compared to 12,855 for the first three-quarters of 2022/23, RMBC data shows.

More than £900,000 is to be spent on pavements and road crossings during the year ahead.

A council spokesperson said: “The improvements will benefit people with visual impairments and wheelchair users, alongside all other pedestrians.

“Blister paving will be laid, along with new dropped kerb lines and 36 new crossing points at locations requested by residents, local councillors and user groups.”

The council says its measures for green status roads are based on equivalent national averages, and are based on the latest available national data.