Torbay's 'pothole pot' gets £230,000 boost

Torbay's cash pot to sort out its potholes has just got £230,000 deeper - and that means more roadworks as well as extra improvements.

An extra programme of road resurfacing is due to be carried out in the resort funded by the extra grant from the government.

The additional funding, over and above the council’s normal grant for the 2023/24 financial year, must be spent on failing roads that need maintenance.

The council says it can now improve 4,265 square metres more road surface in this financial year than originally planned.

The highways team at SWISCo have identified the roads most in need of repair. They have now set out a programme of works for the additional resurfacing schemes:

• Friday February 9 (one night): Preston Down Road, Paignton (Occombe Farm to roundabout); road closure and diversion.
• Monday February 26 (two days): Underidge Drive, Paignton (First 100m); road closure and two-way signals on Underidge Road when needed.
• Wednesday February 28 (three days): Colley End Road, Paignton (Kings Ash Road to Clifton Road); road closure and two-way signals on Kings Ash Road when needed and diversion.
• Monday March 4 (two days): Cockington Lane, Torquay (double roundabouts with Old Mill Road); road closure and diversion.

The extra money from the government’s Road Resurfacing Fund will be matched by the same additional amount next year. It is part of £8.3billion package of extra Government funding for local highways maintenance up to 2034, over and above what local authorities were expected to receive.

Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said: “We are pleased to receive this extra funding which means we are now able to resurface more local roads than originally planned this year.

 “We are grateful for the understanding of residents and motorists in the areas affected while we deliver these necessary improvements to our highways network.”

Roads Minister Guy Opperman said: "Road users in Torbay deserve smooth and safe roads. I’m delighted to have worked with local MP Kevin Foster to provide the council with an additional £7.1 million to resurface and maintain their local road network all the way through to 2034.

"The additional £230,000 allocation will resurface more roads than originally planned for this financial year, all thanks to rerouted funding from HS2 to improve transport connections for more people, in more places, more quickly."