Southampton City Council commits £11.9 million for highways and footways programme in 2023/2024

Southampton City Council has allocated £11.9 million for the highways and footways programme to be delivered over the next 12 months. The funding commitment was made in the recent February 2023 budget and will target resurfacing and patching works on selected roads and pavements. The full list of roads will be announced later in the Spring of 2023.

The council has invested significantly in road maintenance over the past few years, with 5,204 potholes repaired in the last 12 months and a dedicated pothole repair spend of over £1.4 million. Improving roads, especially during winter months, is a top priority for the council, and it has ensured that 100% of winter routes were gritted on time.

Balfour Beatty Living Places will deliver the latest road improvements, including the resurfacing of Vincents Walk, which will benefit local businesses, bus passengers, and their customers. Brookvale Road and Thomas Lewis Way have also undergone road repair works and traffic signal improvements, respectively, improving travel times and capacity.

In addition to road maintenance, the council has invested in projects such as the Weston Shore rock defence wall, which protects the coastline from erosion and improves biodiversity by planting seven new species. The council also launched Southampton’s 20mph speed limit programme, which has received positive feedback from residents and has led to proposals for implementing 20mph speed limits across 14 areas over the next two years.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Growth and District Regeneration, stated that the investment in road maintenance is a positive step for all road users, whether they drive, walk or cycle, and improving the roads is a top priority for residents. The council’s excellent highway maintenance programme, in partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places, responds to public calls for repairs and maintenance regularly.