Latest news with #NeilBaker
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
South East pothole repair bill is £2.5bn
The backlog of repairs to "pothole-plagued" roads in the south east of England is £2.5bn, a report has half the region's road network - more than 13k miles - has less than 15 years' structural life remaining, according to the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, produced by the Asphalt Industry County Council (KCC) highways chief has called for a law change on roadworks permits and "significantly more" maintenance Department of Transport has been approached for a comment. The ALARM survey also found roads were only resurfaced on average once every 188 years in the South East. It said there was a "repeated pattern of short-term cash injections in an effort to stem the accelerating decline in road conditions, followed by longer periods of underfunding".KCC councillor Neil Baker said: "What we need is significantly more funds for ongoing road maintenance, over multiple years, so we can plan ahead."Roads have been underfunded for decades. It will take much more than a quick fix if residents are able to drive on surfaces they want and deserve." Calls to change law Fixing potholes raises a bigger issue, said Mr Baker, about the council's power over its own road are 5,400 miles of road in Kent to manage, and there has been an increase of a "few thousand closures annually to 16,000 closures a year", said chair of the KCC environment and transport cabinet committee, Sean while KCC issues the temporary road closure permits, it has virtually no say in when, where or to whom they can be issued, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Baker said nearly one in three of all permits issued were for "emergencies" which started immediately, with a minimum of two hours notice. Much of the work is utilities and broadband providers associated with house building or infrastructure repair or Baker said it was "impossible to co-ordinate" long-term maintenance projects and pothole patching. The transport chief has called for the Highways Act to be amended to allow councils to deny permits that are applied for.
BBC News
16-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Kent County Council waives fees for WW2 street parties
Residents who want to organise a street party to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day will not have to pay a road closure application fee, Kent County Council (KCC) has local authority says residents can apply to close a road for a party and to attach bunting or flags to streetlights.A KCC spokesperson said to be eligible for the waiver, the road closure must be planned for the "sole purpose of holding a celebration street party in a residential area".Neil Baker, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "These occasions are a time of reflection and celebration, marking a momentous time in our nation's history. "It is only right that we support people in any way we can who wish to celebrate.'I would encourage anyone interested in hosting a street party to apply through our online form."The closing date for the fee waiver application for VE day celebration is 22 March and 27 June for VJ Day.
BBC News
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Mereworth: Date announced for work to start widening busy road
The date for work to commence widening a busy Kent road has been announced. Construction will start on 31 March on the A228 in Mereworth at the junction with Kent Street at a cost of £ lights are to be installed 100m (328ft) from each side of the junction where a teenage girl was injured nearly four years ago in an effort to counter speeding and improve in bus stops on each side of the road is also planned as part of the project. The scheme was given the green light by Councillor Neil Baker, Kent County Council cabinet member for announcement comes after years of campaigning by residents and local councillors, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Sarah Hudson, a Conservative county councillor said: "It's been a long haul to get to this point but I am pleased it has. "The A228 is an important highway because it serves so much traffic using the M20."We can make it safer for the local people and the motorists themselves by introducing the measures we have."The first stage of the scheme has already taken place by cutting back the next phase starts on 31 March and lasts until 22 June.
