DAVID LAWS COLUMN: Get Somerset’s roads repaired asap!

YEOVIL MP David Laws is hoping Somerset County Council will spend more than £12m “quickly and effectively” to repair damaged and pothole-ridden roads.

Mr Laws said the recent bad weather had taken its toll on many of the county’s roads, but was pleased the Government was looking to sort the problems.

“Potholes are a nightmare for all road users and the wet winter has caused a large amount of extra damage beyond the normal wear and tear,” said Mr Laws (pictured right) in the latest of his regular articles for the Yeovil Press.

“That is why the Government has announced that we will be investing an extra £180m to help repair potholes caused by the bad weather.

“The money will be made available to councils as an emergency payment and will pay for the repair of over three million potholes across Britain.

“Here in Somerset, the council has been allocated over £12m and I hope councillors will look to spend this money quickly and effectively.

“I realise this sounds like a slightly less glamorous issue than some, but I am often told by people that potholes frustrate them almost more than anything else!”

Mr Laws added: “For the last two weeks Parliament has been in recess for the Easter break.

“This has allowed me to spend more time in Yeovil and enjoy a couple of days off over the Bank Holiday weekend. I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter and the made the most of the spring sunshine.

“Over the last few weeks the Government has made a couple of announcements which will hopefully serve to help a lot of people in our area.

“Earlier this month Dan Rogerson MP, the Liberal Democrat Floods Minster, launched the Repair and Renew Grant for people who were affected by this winter’s floods.

“People whose homes and businesses were flooded can now apply for a government grant of up to £5,000, through the local authority, to help them with the cost of buying and installing new measures to reduce the chances of flooding in the future, and to limit the damage should the worst happen again.

“Even if you have already fitted new measures, the grant can be awarded retrospectively, so I would urge people to contact the local authority and investigate.”

Here is a link that should get you started:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flooding-recovery-households-and-businesses-applying-for-the-repair-and-renew-grant-scheme/flooding-recovery-households-and-businesses-applying-for-the-repair-and-renew-grant-scheme.

Mr Laws added: “The recent floods had a terrible impact on our area, and while the country’s attention has shifted elsewhere people in Somerset are slowly getting back on their feet and rebuilding. As we move forward it is vital that we work to improve flood defences and become more resilient.”

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