No more lane excuses on roads say Liberal Democrats

West Northamptonshire Liberal Democrats have unveiled a forward-looking strategy to tackle long-standing issues with road and pavement maintenance across West Northamptonshire.

A key element of the plan is a new Pothole Priority Plan, aimed at ending temporary patching and moving instead towards the full replacement of deteriorated roads. Local knowledge will play a crucial role, with every Parish and Town Council invited to identify and report high-priority areas in need of attention.

In addition Lib Dems want to see a fundamental shift in how pavement repairs are handled. Rather than patching over problems, the focus would be on permanent upgrades, particularly in areas of high footfall or where improved walkways could encourage more active lifestyles.

Cyclist safety is also high on the agenda. Liberal Democrats propose that every road be assessed for its suitability and safety for cyclists, with this data factored into decisions about repair and replacement priorities.

To ensure value for money and improved delivery, the roads maintenance contract would be placed under constant performance review, with regular public reporting to increase accountability.

Residents could also expect greater transparency about where work is being done. Lib Dems would like to see all highway repairs logged and reported so people have a clear picture of how resources are being allocated.

Finally, the plan embraces innovation. Liberal Democrats would explore the use of AI and vehicle-based monitoring systems to detect road damage more efficiently and respond more quickly to emerging issues.

Liberal Democrats believe West Northamptonshire deserves roads and pavements that are built to last—not quick fixes that fail again and again.