§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to take action in relation to those county councils which do not allocate sufficient funds for the proper maintenance of highways and pavements.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe have frequently urged local highway authorities to spend up to the overall provision 127W for highway maintenance. We are currently examining their 1988–89 budgets to see whether further action is needed.
The Audit Commission report on highway maintenance recommends that allocations from highway authorities to their agents should be based on an authoritywide assessment of need linked to overall policy. We are encouraging authorities to proceed on this basis.
§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider a review of agency arrangements, along the lines suggested by the Audit Commission, in order to assist district councils in the proper maintenance of roads and footpaths in their areas.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Audit Commission recommended that each highway authority and its agents should review their arrangements. We have made it clear that the Department fully support this. We shall be monitoring implementation in concert with the local authority associations.