NEW SCHEME TO PUT POTHOLES IN THE PAST
The scourge of tyre-busting potholes that blight Britain’s rural highways and byways could finally be ending as new plans to incentivise country road repairs by farmers are rolled out.
An innovative collaboration between Defra and the Department for Transport, the scheme is being integrated into the new Sustainable Farming Incentive initially in England, with equivalent initiatives expected for Scotland and Wales.
Dubbed ‘cash for craters’, the grants will be available for repairs made to country lanes (excluding A-roads and motorways) within a five mile radius of farmers’ holdings, paid on a per-pothole basis.
The National Farmers Union has applauded ‘the joined up thinking’ and described the scheme as a ‘win-win’ for its members.
“Farmers have the skills and resources to mend the roads, and – given the importance of access to the rural economy – it’s in their interests to see an end to potholes in the countryside,” said the NFU’s Ivor Shovell.
“Farmers are already involved in highway maintenance, clearing snow and cutting hedges, for example, so this is really just an extension of their role.
“This is going to add an important additional income stream for farmers, and will save money for local councils and insurance companies.”
Details of the new scheme can be found on the Gov.uk website and comes into effect from April 1st 2024.
ENDS
The scourge of tyre-busting potholes that blight Britain’s rural highways and byways could finally be ending as new plans to incentivise country road repairs by farmers are rolled out.
An innovative collaboration between Defra and the Department for Transport, the scheme is being integrated into the new Sustainable Farming Incentive initially in England, with equivalent initiatives expected for Scotland and Wales.
Dubbed ‘cash for craters’, the grants will be available for repairs made to country lanes (excluding A-roads and motorways) within a five mile radius of farmers’ holdings, paid on a per-pothole basis.
The National Farmers Union has applauded ‘the joined up thinking’ and described the scheme as a ‘win-win’ for its members.
“Farmers have the skills and resources to mend the roads, and – given the importance of access to the rural economy – it’s in their interests to see an end to potholes in the countryside,” said the NFU’s Ivor Shovell.
“Farmers are already involved in highway maintenance, clearing snow and cutting hedges, for example, so this is really just an extension of their role.
“This is going to add an important additional income stream for farmers, and will save money for local councils and insurance companies.”
Details of the new scheme can be found on the Gov.uk website and comes into effect from April 1st 2024.
ENDS
....weldone @colunus
