Town Hall’s £5 million pot of cash to fix holes

12:50pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News

BOLTON’S worst roads will undergo £5 million of repairs and improvements.

Highways chiefs have announced the massive investment in the borough’s roads and footpaths, with work expected to start in April. The one-off funding will come from a pot of cash which Bolton Council has set aside and will be spent over the next two years.

Repair work will be targeted at Bolton’s worst roads and potholes and 14 will be resurfaced at a cost of £2.4 million. A further £1.2 million will be spent on preventing further deterioration and restoring the skid resistance of 19 roads by sealing them with one or more layers of bitumen and hard stone chippings. This will be the first work carried out.

Thousands of potholes on other roads across the borough will be repaired with £400,000 of the funding.

Key footpaths across the borough will be resurfaced with £850,000 investment and £150,000 will be used on repairing footpaths to help extend their life.

Cllr Nick Peel, pictured, Executive Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We are doing everything we can to improve our roads and footpaths under extremely difficult financial circumstances.

“This is investment that is clearly needed and while the money does not by any means tackle all the work we would like to do, it does help us to tackle some of the backlog we have.

“We’ve chosen roads and footpaths based on engineering surveys, and this extra funding will help to target the worst of the deterioration on some of our busy local roads. This extra funding follows on from the £6 million that we have invested in our road network in the last three years.”

Successive bad winters and a cut in government grants to maintain Bolton’s road network have been blamed for the “significant” increase in the number of potholes and the deterioration of the roads.

Arthur Lane in Bradshaw will receive the largest amount of cash — £352,200 — followed by £250,140 for Smithills Dean Road in Smithills, £262,992 for Lever Edge Lane in Great Lever, £132,816 for Park Road in Heaton, £217,200 for Oakwood Drive in Heaton, and £245,520 for Junction Road West in Ladybridge.

Cllr Peel said: “Ice affects roads in a very damaging way. When water gets into cracks in the road and freezes it expands and physically pushes the concrete out.

“Sometimes it’s not always what you can see either, but what’s going on underneath that’s the problem, and our engineers use sonar machines to spot defects under the surface.

“Roads might have cracks developing underneath and all it will take is for winter to set in and for a heavy truck to go over it to cause damage.”

The work has been prioritised following reports from the council’s engineers.

The £5 million is from a pot of £14 million capital cash set aside for boosting the borough, which councillors announced last September. Due to government restrictions the funding cannot be used to offset government spending cuts and has to be used on one-off schemes.

Town Hall bosses are expected to slash the council’s overall budget by £43 million over the next two years with up to 720 posts being lost.

The latest figures show Bolton Council paid out almost £50,000 in compensation to motorists whose vehicles have been damaged by potholes and poor roads over just two years.

Damage includes punctured or damaged tyres, problems with suspension and wheel rim and steering damage.

Comments (28)

10:35am Thu 7 Feb 13

boydell says...

About bloody time to. I hope they intend doing all the roads not just the priviliged few. !!
About bloody time to. I hope they intend doing all the roads not just the priviliged few. !! boydell

11:59am Thu 7 Feb 13

John Edwards says...

They sold Kearsley town hall for £138.000, some of that money should be spent on the roads here. But as Boydell says, "not just the privileged few" How about 5 out of 6 for the privileged few.
They sold Kearsley town hall for £138.000, some of that money should be spent on the roads here. But as Boydell says, "not just the privileged few" How about 5 out of 6 for the privileged few. John Edwards

12:10pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Phil from Smithills says...

When major work took place at the junction of Smithills Dean Road & Scout Road about four years ago, drainage grids, just inside Coal Pit Road were introduced at the junction.

Last year I telephoned the highways department informing them that the grids had been neglected and were filling up with debris,unfortunatell
y the rain water now runs over the grids and accross the junction and down Smithills Dean Road.

In freezing conditions, the junction will ice over, causing major problem to motorist, especially at night. One of the reasons the junction had work done to it. All was required, was for those grids to be included into a routine cleaning schedule when the grids around that area were cleaned out.
When major work took place at the junction of Smithills Dean Road & Scout Road about four years ago, drainage grids, just inside Coal Pit Road were introduced at the junction. Last year I telephoned the highways department informing them that the grids had been neglected and were filling up with debris,unfortunatell y the rain water now runs over the grids and accross the junction and down Smithills Dean Road. In freezing conditions, the junction will ice over, causing major problem to motorist, especially at night. One of the reasons the junction had work done to it. All was required, was for those grids to be included into a routine cleaning schedule when the grids around that area were cleaned out. Phil from Smithills

12:16pm Thu 7 Feb 13

hoboh2o says...

Farnworth and Kearsley will end up getting sod all again!
Seems the fat controller and his mafia ain't sussed the sheep that used to vote in the pig with the red rosette have either moved on or died! You reap what you sow Mr Labour people.
Farnworth and Kearsley will end up getting sod all again! Seems the fat controller and his mafia ain't sussed the sheep that used to vote in the pig with the red rosette have either moved on or died! You reap what you sow Mr Labour people. hoboh2o

12:27pm Thu 7 Feb 13

tracy1000 says...

I hope they are using something better than the marmite and chewing gum they used to repair the roads in Farnworth near the railway station! It was only done a couple of months or so ago and the junction between presto st and Darley street is already crumbling away with a large pothole appearing
I hope they are using something better than the marmite and chewing gum they used to repair the roads in Farnworth near the railway station! It was only done a couple of months or so ago and the junction between presto st and Darley street is already crumbling away with a large pothole appearing tracy1000

12:45pm Thu 7 Feb 13

mralwayscorrect says...

This money is better off being spent on pork chops, they're delicious and feed an entire family.
This money is better off being spent on pork chops, they're delicious and feed an entire family. mralwayscorrect

12:46pm Thu 7 Feb 13

boltoncity says...

im no civil engineer or road expert by any means but there does seem to be work carried out on the same areas again and again. Is it not worth spending a little extra money or time and getting the problems resolved the first time ?
im no civil engineer or road expert by any means but there does seem to be work carried out on the same areas again and again. Is it not worth spending a little extra money or time and getting the problems resolved the first time ? boltoncity

12:47pm Thu 7 Feb 13

boltoncity says...

mralwayscorrect wrote:
This money is better off being spent on pork chops, they're delicious and feed an entire family.
mmmmmmm pork chops
[quote][p][bold]mralwayscorrect[/bold] wrote: This money is better off being spent on pork chops, they're delicious and feed an entire family.[/p][/quote]mmmmmmm pork chops boltoncity

1:08pm Thu 7 Feb 13

everymuseumone says...

It is about time the Government and local Councils started using Road Tax money to fix the reads....the whole reason the tax exists. Perhaps i should start sending my bills for replacement tyres to the town hall every time they are ruined by pot holes that they fail to deal with.
It is about time the Government and local Councils started using Road Tax money to fix the reads....the whole reason the tax exists. Perhaps i should start sending my bills for replacement tyres to the town hall every time they are ruined by pot holes that they fail to deal with. everymuseumone

1:08pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Winston"2+2=5"Smith says...

No doubt the vast majority of the money will be spent in the Deane, Daubhill, Halliwell Rd and Blackburn Rd areas with only a tiny amount for the rest of us proles.
No doubt the vast majority of the money will be spent in the Deane, Daubhill, Halliwell Rd and Blackburn Rd areas with only a tiny amount for the rest of us proles. Winston"2+2=5"Smith

1:51pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Towny1981 says...

boltoncity wrote:
mralwayscorrect wrote:
This money is better off being spent on pork chops, they're delicious and feed an entire family.
mmmmmmm pork chops
Not if they're a Jewish or Muslim family, in which case fish would be more appropriate. There's a man in London who sells fish for one pound, that's a lot of fish.
[quote][p][bold]boltoncity[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mralwayscorrect[/bold] wrote: This money is better off being spent on pork chops, they're delicious and feed an entire family.[/p][/quote]mmmmmmm pork chops[/p][/quote]Not if they're a Jewish or Muslim family, in which case fish would be more appropriate. There's a man in London who sells fish for one pound, that's a lot of fish. Towny1981

2:04pm Thu 7 Feb 13

mralwayscorrect says...

Winston"2+2=5"Smith wrote:
No doubt the vast majority of the money will be spent in the Deane, Daubhill, Halliwell Rd and Blackburn Rd areas with only a tiny amount for the rest of us proles.
Those people don't like pork chops, though? Not unless they've been killed in a barbaric way, in which case they're fine.....
[quote][p][bold]Winston"2+2=5"Smith[/bold] wrote: No doubt the vast majority of the money will be spent in the Deane, Daubhill, Halliwell Rd and Blackburn Rd areas with only a tiny amount for the rest of us proles.[/p][/quote]Those people don't like pork chops, though? Not unless they've been killed in a barbaric way, in which case they're fine..... mralwayscorrect

3:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

davoovad says...

hoboh2o wrote:
Farnworth and Kearsley will end up getting sod all again!
Seems the fat controller and his mafia ain't sussed the sheep that used to vote in the pig with the red rosette have either moved on or died! You reap what you sow Mr Labour people.
They are just running the place down before they close it.
[quote][p][bold]hoboh2o[/bold] wrote: Farnworth and Kearsley will end up getting sod all again! Seems the fat controller and his mafia ain't sussed the sheep that used to vote in the pig with the red rosette have either moved on or died! You reap what you sow Mr Labour people.[/p][/quote]They are just running the place down before they close it. davoovad

3:55pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Beyond News Forum says...

Will go about 3 miles at current prices.

Still it's a start.
Will go about 3 miles at current prices. Still it's a start. Beyond News Forum

6:51pm Thu 7 Feb 13

xxenigmaxx says...

Would you rather the £5 million was wasted elsewhere then. The Council have to start somewhere, no matter were someone will always be the first to complain.
Would you rather the £5 million was wasted elsewhere then. The Council have to start somewhere, no matter were someone will always be the first to complain. xxenigmaxx

7:28pm Thu 7 Feb 13

underwater says...

Forget wasting the money on roads, how about reopening my local library, I have allways paid my councill tax and could not care how many pot holes are in the road outside my house.
Forget wasting the money on roads, how about reopening my local library, I have allways paid my councill tax and could not care how many pot holes are in the road outside my house. underwater

8:21pm Thu 7 Feb 13

sallyupsteps says...

The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris.
The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris. sallyupsteps

9:23pm Thu 7 Feb 13

john163uk says...

That must be one of the best roads in Bolton.
That must be one of the best roads in Bolton. john163uk

10:07pm Thu 7 Feb 13

boltonnut says...

Mr. Winston 2+2=5 is correct in his asumption,we can't have the drug dealers in the mentioned areas damaging their expensive RIDES in the potholes.
Mr. Winston 2+2=5 is correct in his asumption,we can't have the drug dealers in the mentioned areas damaging their expensive RIDES in the potholes. boltonnut

9:22am Fri 8 Feb 13

Harveyharvey says...

There's an badly deteriorated speed bump on Higher Swan Lane. Good it makes you slow down to 5mph but not what I pay Road Tax for.
There's an badly deteriorated speed bump on Higher Swan Lane. Good it makes you slow down to 5mph but not what I pay Road Tax for. Harveyharvey

12:19pm Fri 8 Feb 13

were doomed says...

Its to hoped they dont use the cowboys who have just finished Beaumont Rd at the traffic light next to the Shell garage
The surface is as bumpy as before with the potholes
£5m??? I wouldnt invest a fiver to cowboys like them
Its to hoped they dont use the cowboys who have just finished Beaumont Rd at the traffic light next to the Shell garage The surface is as bumpy as before with the potholes £5m??? I wouldnt invest a fiver to cowboys like them were doomed

10:39am Sat 9 Feb 13

jazzmick says...

I hope they do something to Bradford Road. It is in a bit of a state, and considering that it is a main route to and from the Hospital, I think it is important for the smooth running and safety of Ambulance staff and patients to have good access.
I hope they do something to Bradford Road. It is in a bit of a state, and considering that it is a main route to and from the Hospital, I think it is important for the smooth running and safety of Ambulance staff and patients to have good access. jazzmick

3:31pm Tue 12 Feb 13

BWFC71 says...

everymuseumone wrote:
It is about time the Government and local Councils started using Road Tax money to fix the reads....the whole reason the tax exists. Perhaps i should start sending my bills for replacement tyres to the town hall every time they are ruined by pot holes that they fail to deal with.
But there is no such thing as the Road Tax!!!!

Motor Vehicle Excise Duty is what you are talking about and that is done on a Central Government basis with some car users payiong either nothing or a fiver for the annual tax and some car users paying 600+ annually.

Local roads (i.e. non-Motorway) come under the control of local Government and as such Central Government has no direct say.
[quote][p][bold]everymuseumone[/bold] wrote: It is about time the Government and local Councils started using Road Tax money to fix the reads....the whole reason the tax exists. Perhaps i should start sending my bills for replacement tyres to the town hall every time they are ruined by pot holes that they fail to deal with.[/p][/quote]But there is no such thing as the Road Tax!!!! Motor Vehicle Excise Duty is what you are talking about and that is done on a Central Government basis with some car users payiong either nothing or a fiver for the annual tax and some car users paying 600+ annually. Local roads (i.e. non-Motorway) come under the control of local Government and as such Central Government has no direct say. BWFC71

3:34pm Tue 12 Feb 13

BWFC71 says...

Harveyharvey wrote:
There's an badly deteriorated speed bump on Higher Swan Lane. Good it makes you slow down to 5mph but not what I pay Road Tax for.
That because you do not pay a Road Tax. You pay a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty (and pay somehwre between £0 and upto £1500 annually) which goes into the Central Government coffers. Local Roads (i.e. non-Motorways) are paid and repaired via Council Tax!!!
[quote][p][bold]Harveyharvey[/bold] wrote: There's an badly deteriorated speed bump on Higher Swan Lane. Good it makes you slow down to 5mph but not what I pay Road Tax for.[/p][/quote]That because you do not pay a Road Tax. You pay a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty (and pay somehwre between £0 and upto £1500 annually) which goes into the Central Government coffers. Local Roads (i.e. non-Motorways) are paid and repaired via Council Tax!!! BWFC71

3:37pm Tue 12 Feb 13

BWFC71 says...

sallyupsteps wrote:
The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris.
No such thing as a road fund. There is a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty, of which drivers pay between £0 and £1500 annually) which goes into Central Government Coffers, but local roads (Non-Motorway) and paid and repaired through the Council Tax!!!
[quote][p][bold]sallyupsteps[/bold] wrote: The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris.[/p][/quote]No such thing as a road fund. There is a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty, of which drivers pay between £0 and £1500 annually) which goes into Central Government Coffers, but local roads (Non-Motorway) and paid and repaired through the Council Tax!!! BWFC71

4:24pm Tue 12 Feb 13

hoboh2o says...

BWFC71 wrote:
sallyupsteps wrote:
The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris.
No such thing as a road fund. There is a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty, of which drivers pay between £0 and £1500 annually) which goes into Central Government Coffers, but local roads (Non-Motorway) and paid and repaired through the Council Tax!!!
You stuck in a time warp?
It was the road tax fund the same as the council tax is a variation of poll tax and is still refered to as such by many.
The one word that binds these all together is TAX! Would you give £1500 grand a year or whatever and trust your local dope dealer to deliver a decent service? No, then why trust folk like many jobs Morris who will import half of Romania and Bulgeria PROVIDING THEY WILL VOTE FOR HIM NEXT YEAR!
Too many people blame Asians for all our woes, try looking at the horse meat traders of Eastern Europe if you want sleepless nights.
[quote][p][bold]BWFC71[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]sallyupsteps[/bold] wrote: The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris.[/p][/quote]No such thing as a road fund. There is a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty, of which drivers pay between £0 and £1500 annually) which goes into Central Government Coffers, but local roads (Non-Motorway) and paid and repaired through the Council Tax!!![/p][/quote]You stuck in a time warp? It was the road tax fund the same as the council tax is a variation of poll tax and is still refered to as such by many. The one word that binds these all together is TAX! Would you give £1500 grand a year or whatever and trust your local dope dealer to deliver a decent service? No, then why trust folk like many jobs Morris who will import half of Romania and Bulgeria PROVIDING THEY WILL VOTE FOR HIM NEXT YEAR! Too many people blame Asians for all our woes, try looking at the horse meat traders of Eastern Europe if you want sleepless nights. hoboh2o

12:47pm Wed 13 Feb 13

boltoncity says...

Sallupsteps - what a great name , i remember my times in that pub with great affection
Sallupsteps - what a great name , i remember my times in that pub with great affection boltoncity

12:44am Thu 14 Feb 13

BWFC71 says...

hoboh2o wrote:
BWFC71 wrote:
sallyupsteps wrote:
The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris.
No such thing as a road fund. There is a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty, of which drivers pay between £0 and £1500 annually) which goes into Central Government Coffers, but local roads (Non-Motorway) and paid and repaired through the Council Tax!!!
You stuck in a time warp?
It was the road tax fund the same as the council tax is a variation of poll tax and is still refered to as such by many.
The one word that binds these all together is TAX! Would you give £1500 grand a year or whatever and trust your local dope dealer to deliver a decent service? No, then why trust folk like many jobs Morris who will import half of Romania and Bulgeria PROVIDING THEY WILL VOTE FOR HIM NEXT YEAR!
Too many people blame Asians for all our woes, try looking at the horse meat traders of Eastern Europe if you want sleepless nights.
It seems to me that you are stuck in a time-warp as it has not been officially the Road Fund Tax since 1937!!! And even then most of the money for the money and upkkep of the roads came from local taxation!!!

Morris nor any part of the Bolton Council, does not collect the Motor Vehicle Excise Duty as that is collected by Central Government. And anyway how do you know that there are no Romanians or Bulgarians already in the town. For my two-penniesworth I would rather have work migrants coming into to the UK, do honest days work pay into the system than any British work-shy chav anyday!!! I know who I would trust more!

Funny how you mention horse meat traders of Eastern Europe when its the horse-meat traders of the UK that are being investigated more than anywhere elswe in the UK.

Instead of blaming the easy targets how about looking at our own country and seeing how its our own people that have created a mess both in cultural and legal systems before passing the buck on to EU, other europeans, asians or other foreigners.

PS do you honestly really think that Romanians and Bulgarians will come to the UK considering the changes in the benefit system and that their closest allies (being Germany and Austria as seen during WWII when they were allies, and long long before) have more job opportunities and less unemployed than the UK!!! Get Real!
[quote][p][bold]hoboh2o[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]BWFC71[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]sallyupsteps[/bold] wrote: The road fund would go a lot further if some of our home grown lazy B******s got of the backsides and cleared some grids out. From Astley Bridge to Moss Bank 75% of the grids are stopped with debris.[/p][/quote]No such thing as a road fund. There is a Motor Vehicle Excise Duty, of which drivers pay between £0 and £1500 annually) which goes into Central Government Coffers, but local roads (Non-Motorway) and paid and repaired through the Council Tax!!![/p][/quote]You stuck in a time warp? It was the road tax fund the same as the council tax is a variation of poll tax and is still refered to as such by many. The one word that binds these all together is TAX! Would you give £1500 grand a year or whatever and trust your local dope dealer to deliver a decent service? No, then why trust folk like many jobs Morris who will import half of Romania and Bulgeria PROVIDING THEY WILL VOTE FOR HIM NEXT YEAR! Too many people blame Asians for all our woes, try looking at the horse meat traders of Eastern Europe if you want sleepless nights.[/p][/quote]It seems to me that you are stuck in a time-warp as it has not been officially the Road Fund Tax since 1937!!! And even then most of the money for the money and upkkep of the roads came from local taxation!!! Morris nor any part of the Bolton Council, does not collect the Motor Vehicle Excise Duty as that is collected by Central Government. And anyway how do you know that there are no Romanians or Bulgarians already in the town. For my two-penniesworth I would rather have work migrants coming into to the UK, do honest days work pay into the system than any British work-shy chav anyday!!! I know who I would trust more! Funny how you mention horse meat traders of Eastern Europe when its the horse-meat traders of the UK that are being investigated more than anywhere elswe in the UK. Instead of blaming the easy targets how about looking at our own country and seeing how its our own people that have created a mess both in cultural and legal systems before passing the buck on to EU, other europeans, asians or other foreigners. PS do you honestly really think that Romanians and Bulgarians will come to the UK considering the changes in the benefit system and that their closest allies (being Germany and Austria as seen during WWII when they were allies, and long long before) have more job opportunities and less unemployed than the UK!!! Get Real! BWFC71

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