Cllr Iain McIntosh has raised concerns over Powys County Council's recent budget announcement, which suggests a dramatic shift in the maintenance policy of unclassified minor roads across the county. In an effort to reduce future maintenance expenditure, the Council has indicated a willingness to revert such roads from their current state to unsurfaced, stone tracks. This policy, as outlined, has sparked a wave of questions and worries among residents regarding safety, property values, and the overall integrity of local infrastructure.
Cllr McIntosh concerns and associated questions can be found here: https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=867&MId=8537&Ver=4
He sought clarity on several critical points:
The Legal Responsibilities of the Council: Highlighting the vital role of unclassified roads in community connectivity and safety, I asked for the Council's interpretation of its obligations towards maintaining these roads.
Uniform Application of the Policy: Concerns were raised about whether the policy would affect all unclassified roads equally, including those in both rural and urban areas, and how this might impact residents' accessibility.
Lack of Impact Assessments: The absence of publicly available assessments on the policy's potential effects on property values, vehicle wear and tear, and other significant factors was brought to light, seeking evidence of any such evaluations.
Implications on Funding: Questions were asked regarding how this shift might influence future funding from the Welsh Government, which allocates resources for road maintenance based on various criteria.
Contradictions to Election Commitments: The policy appears to contradict previous commitments by Liberal Democrat and Labour members to maintain the road network, prompting a request for justification of this change in direction.
In response, the Council acknowledged its duty to maintain highways to a standard that is "reasonably practical" and employs a risk-based approach to determine the level of care required. It was also mentioned that the classification of roads does not solely dictate their maintenance priority and that any policy changes would undergo the normal democratic process, including impact assessments at the appropriate stage.
However, many of my questions, particularly concerning the uniform application of the policy, the absence of impact assessments at this stage, and the direct implications on residents and the local environment, remain inadequately addressed. The Council's response hints at future discussions and considerations but does not provide the reassurance or detailed insight the community seeks.
He said
"This exchange underscores a looming threat to our road network under the current Liberal Democrat and Labour led County Council. The prospect of our roads reverting to stone tracks poses not only a physical regression of our infrastructure but also symbolises a broader concern over the stewardship of our community's assets and the transparency of decision-making processes that profoundly affect our daily lives. My enquiries reflect a broader community demand for clarity, evidence-based policy-making, and a genuine commitment to the maintenance and improvement of our local infrastructure. All residents of Powys expect policies that enhance, rather than undermine, our quality of life and safety. Despite Cllr Charlton suggesting there will be no savings until 2024/25, their policy on road maintenance has clearly changed. It is in the Council’s budget statement in black and white. A notable omission from the Council’s response was their justification for making policy decisions like this, following commitments given by both Liberal Democrats and Labour Councillors in the past to upgrade and maintain our road network. Members of the public will be justified in questioning their level of trust in this administration.”
