New data confirms that Conservative-led councils are delivering better results for taxpayers when it comes to road repairs. Devon County Council, under Conservative leadership, stands out as a prime example, fixing more roads, faster, and allocating resources where they are most needed.
National reports back this up, with recent analysis by the Department for Transport revealing that Conservative councils repaired five times more road length on average than Labour councils and more than double that of Liberal Democrat councils.
Devon County Council’s leadership has ensured:
- Nearly twice as many potholes repaired as Liberal Democrat-led Somerset in 2023/24: 56,005 in Devon versus 28,574 in Somerset.
- Proactive investment, with Devon allocating £7.9 million for road repairs in 2023/24, compared to Somerset’s £1.7 million.
- Faster repair times, with an average of just 5.72 days to fix a pothole compared to Somerset’s 6.4 days.
- Greater coverage, contributing to better infrastructure across the county.
Toby Gray, Conservative candidate for Tiverton West, said “Strong infrastructure is essential for our rural communities and for Tiverton town. The work done in Devon shows how Conservative leadership ensures roads are kept safe and businesses and residents stay connected. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to Tiverton West."
Colin Slade, Conservative Councillor for Tiverton East, added, "Fixing potholes and maintaining our roads is about ensuring safety and protecting livelihoods. Conservative councils like Devon prove that investment and efficient management make a real difference. It’s clear that residents get more value from Conservative leadership."
Nationally, the disparity between councils is stark. Labour-run Plymouth was highlighted as the worst-performing council for street repairs in the UK, fixing just 0.7% of roads that required maintenance last year—equivalent to one mile.
Paul Osman, Conservative candidate for Willand and Uffculme, commented "As someone who depends on well-maintained roads for farming and rural life, I know just how critical this issue is. The Liberal Democrats in Somerset and Labour in Plymouth let their communities down. We can’t let that happen in Devon.”
As May 1st approaches, voters across the Devon face a clear choice, Conservative councils that invest in communities and deliver results, or opposition councils leaving taxpayers with crumbling roads and excuses.
