REA calls for local ‘performance guide’ on maintenance
Road Emulsion Association submits formal representations to the Chancellor ahead Spending Review 2025
THE Road Emulsion Association (REA) has submitted formal representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, underscoring the long-term economic, environmental, and safety benefits of prioritizing preventative maintenance, particularly surface dressing and encapsulation, within the forthcoming Spending Review 2025.
In its open letter the Government, the REA has called for measures to ensure that local road networks are maintained efficiently and sustainably, including:
Separate funding streams: Establish distinct budget allocations for preventative works (eg surface dressing, encapsulation) and reactive repairs (eg pothole filling), allowing local authorities to plan proactively rather than exhausting available funds on emergency maintenance.
Clear ‘Performance Guide’: Issue comprehensive guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT) that outlines best practices and performance expectations for preventative treatments across all local authorities.
Annual road-condition reporting: Require the DfT to publish an annual report detailing the condition of local roads nationwide, including the number of kilometres requiring preventative programmes over the next five years and their relative prioritization.
The REA has welcomed recent government initiatives that align with these recommendations. In particular, the Department for Transport’s publication of the Road Condition Monitoring Standard (PAS 2161) provides a data-driven framework to help local authorities assess their networks and implement targeted preventative strategies. The full guidance can be accessed here.
REA chair Mark Stott commented: ‘We’re encouraged to see the Government placing renewed emphasis on preventative maintenance. Surface dressing and encapsulation are proven to extend the lifespan of local roads at a fraction of the cost of full resurfacing, while reducing disruption to road users. By adopting a more strategic, data-led approach, local authorities can address underlying defects before they escalate into costly potholes and structural failures.’
The REA further notes that its member companies, which manufacture the bitumen emulsions and related products essential for modern road maintenance, stand ready to collaborate with both HM Treasury and local authorities. The association believes that, together, industry and government can achieve meaningful improvements in the resilience and cost effectiveness of England’s local road network.
A copy of the REA’s open letter to the Government is attached below.
