Ealing Council along with other boroughs across London is being given additional funding from the Government to fix potholes and improve roads across the capital.
Across London, an extra £235 million in funding to resurface roads has been allocated based on the size of the road network that local authorities and Transport for London maintain.
The extra £235m is the result of redirected funding from HS2 which has been scrapped in the north of England.
Ealing will get £291,000 for the financial year 2023-24 as well as £291,000 for 2024-25. Over the next 11 years, Ealing has been allocated a minimum of £9,099,000.
The Government says councils including Labour-run Ealing can use the money immediately.
The Government said councils will need to publish regular updates on the proposed works to be undertaken in their boroughs.
Councils will be held accountable for how they spend the money by being required to publish regular updates on the proposed works, and they could see future money withheld if they fail to do so.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “Ensuring that roads across our borough are in good condition is a key priority for us and we were already spending significant sums on making our roads and pavements smooth and pothole-free. This funding will contribute to that programme. Cracks and potholes can worsen during severe weather, causing hazards to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.”
Commenting on the additional funding from the Government to Ealing Council, Ealing Conservatives leader Councillor Julian Gallant told EALING.NEWS: “We should all be delighted that the Conservative Government is providing Ealing with significant funding over several years for road improvements. This is money that won’t be spent on an HS2 predicted to come on stream in the 2030s. Rather it will be made available as from now to improve our everyday life experience. Rest assured that Ealing Conservatives will be asking for details of planned road improvements. The Labour-controlled council needs to use this money wisely and get on with the job.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS about the additional funding, Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of Ealing Liberal Democrats said: “I can see from the figures I received that Ealing Council will receive more than most councils possibly due to the fact that our borough has some very poor quality road surfaces.”
He added: “I have asked for the Director of this transport area to report which streets are likely to be improved so residents can be informed as soon as possible.
“This additional money is welcomed but sadly this is due to the cancellation of part of HS2 which we feel is a good initiative so although we benefit other regions in the country do not. To ensure that the money is spent as soon as possible I have asked officers when and which streets will get improvements so we do not lose the money if the Government changes its mind.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “This Government is on the side of drivers and is investing £235 million to improve and repair London’s roads, part of the biggest-ever funding uplift for local road improvements.
“This funding is part of a long-term, 11-year plan to ensure road users across London have smoother, faster and safer journeys by using redirected HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
