The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that councils will struggle to maintain street lighting and roads due to “spiralling” inflation and increases in energy costs.
A new analysis by the LGA and the Association for Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport found that councils have seen a 37.5% increase in the cost of running and repairing street lighting over the last six months.
The research also found that the cost of maintenance has increased, with councils seeing a 22% rise in the cost of repairing a pothole, relaying a road surface and other maintenance costs.
Cllr David Renard, LGA transport spokesperson, said: “As this stark new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep our street lights switched on and invest in improved local infrastructure.
“Global pressures, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as increasing inflation and a shortage of materials have all provided the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets.”
The analysis also found that councils’ capital budgets, which support the building of new roads and other local infrastructure, have had an estimated rise of 21%, which has increased the cost of delivering investment in local areas.
The LGA called for the government to help meet additional cost pressures in full as part of any budget measures introduced.
“Only with adequate long-term funding – to cover increased cost pressures and invest in local services – and the right powers, can councils deliver for our communities, tackle the climate emergency, and level up all parts of the country,” Renard added.
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