Roads Fund paid for by car tax

The latest Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) survey of the road network found nearly half of all white lines on motorways, A roads and local authority roads worn out completely, or about to fail.

Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget announcement therefore received a warm welcome from the RSMA. George Lee, RSMA national director said: “The Chancellors announcement of vehicle taxation once again funding road building and maintenance is exactly what the UK’s ravaged, potholed network needs. This welcome shot-in-the-arm may, at last, allow us to embark on a programme of coherent maintenance and investment, and give road authorities confidence to invest.

“For the industry, it gives assurances that we can go ahead with recruiting and training skilled personnel, as well as investing in equipment to deliver safety and efficiency onto our highway network UK wide.”

However, the Local Government Association (LGA) was less pleased by the announcement. The LGA Transport Spokesman Cllr Peter Box said: "Whilst extra funding for roads is necessary, it is disappointing that this appears to be restricted to motorways. We are facing a 42 per cent increase in traffic on local roads by 2040 and there is a £12 billion backlog of roads repairs.

"Since no car journey begins or ends on a motorway, we would urge that this fund, which will be paid for by motorists out of their car tax, be applicable to all types of roads on a needs basis."

Read the Budget speech