Brighton & Hove Labour Leader, Cllr Gill Mitchell, has written to the Tory Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, to urge the Tories not to cut Brighton & Hove’s pothole repair budget.

Following another severe winter, Brighton & Hove’s roads are suffering from further outbreaks of potholes, which are not only health and safety hazards, but potential law suites for the council. Brighton & Hove City Council has paid out thousands of pounds in legal settlements and is repairing 450 potholes a week.

Last year, the Labour government gave councils £100million to deal with the increase in pot-hole-ravaged roads following a severe winter. Brighton & Hove received an extra £151,000. However, following another extreme winter period, the current Tory-led government have chosen to CUT council transport budgets.

Brighton & Hove Labour Leader, Cllr Gill Mitchell, said:

“Following last year’s severe winter, the then Labour government recognised these issues and gave councils across the country a little extra money to deal with the increase in potholes. However, the new Tory-led government have unfairly chosen to cut funding to councils to deal with potholes.
“Labour is concerned that this cut in pothole funding from central government could leave Brighton & Hove with severely damaged roads, putting the council at risk of further law suits. That’s why we’re writing to Tory Transport Minister Philip Hammond, urging him to think again before cutting council pothole funding.”