Road resurfacing wait 'frustrating'

There is an 11-year-old backlog of roads that need resurfacing, despite two and a half million roads being dug up in England and Wales last year, the BBC has reported.

Aside from the frustration of motorists stuck in road works, it is being claimed that the maintenance is not being carried out properly because most local authorities are leaving the work too late.

A Department of Transport spokesman told the BBC: "We want local authorities to implement a system of regular, well-managed maintenance - not to leave things until they deteriorate to the point that repairs become urgent and more costly."

He added that government funding for road works had trebled since 2002, and a new three-year settlement would see £809 allocated for 2010/2011 - up from £265 million in 2002's budget.

Sheila Rainger, acting director of the RAC Foundation, suggested that local authorities use the powers given to them to levy fixed fines against contractors who "abuse the system".

From April 1st, stricter rules on road works came into place with utility companies now having to notify local councils three months in advance of when the works will take place.