ADAM Fox, Labour candidate for Mayor of Greater Essex, has today welcomed the Labour Government’s record funding boost for road maintenance, including a total of £192.9 million in baseline funding and £71.9 million in incentive funding for councils across Greater Essex.

The Budget also included a major package of transport measures benefiting Essex including £891 million for the Lower Thames Crossing, unlocking long-awaited improvements for Essex commuters, businesses and drivers.

Councils across England will fix potholes and prevent new ones thanks to a doubling of roads cash by the end of the Parliament as part of the Budget. Each local authority will use its share of the £7.3 billion national investment to target the roads most in need of repair and deliver visible improvements for local communities.

The Government is also increasing pressure on local authorities to deliver results by more than tripling the share of funding tied to transparency, from 8% to over 30% of the budget – worth more than £500 million. Councils will only unlock this money if they publish clear pothole and maintenance data and follow best practice.

Adam Fox said:

“This is a huge win for Essex. At the election, Labour promised to fix an extra million potholes a year by the end of the Parliament and today we are delivering. This is more than double the funding the Conservatives ever put on the table.”

“But it’s also a reminder of why Greater Essex needs a Mayor. With a directly-elected Mayor championing our region, we can use this record funding to deliver a proper plan for our roads, hold delivery to account, and make sure every community sees the benefit. This is exactly the kind of practical, everyday improvement a Mayor can drive forward.”

Alongside this, the Budget delivered a major package of transport measures benefiting Essex – including £891 million for the Lower Thames Crossing, unlocking long-awaited improvements for Essex commuters, businesses and drivers. The investment will help reduce congestion, improve journey times and strengthen the region’s economic links across the Thames.

Adam Fox added:

“The Lower Thames Crossing funding is a game-changer for Essex businesses and drivers. This project has been talked about for years and now Labour is getting on and delivering it. As Mayor, I will make sure Essex secures every possible benefit from this investment including new jobs and training opportunities.”