News

11 Nov 2025 – Press Release

Reform UK Lancashire Delivers Major Road and Street Improvements —
Safer, Smarter, and Better Value for Residents.

 Reform UK Lancashire is transforming roads, street works, and school
transport across the county, delivering faster, smarter repairs,
reducing disruption, and saving taxpayers millions.

 In just six months, Reform UK Lancashire has made huge strides in
improving highways and street works:

     * Road and footway defects down 42%, from over 114,000 to under
65,000.
    * Better control of utility works, reducing unnecessary road closures
and disruption.
    * More efficient home-to-school transport, with bigger buses, higher
occupancy, and significantly lower costs.

 Smarter Repairs, Lasting Results
Lancashire has introduced a new Managed Service model that replaces
patchy, short-term repairs with deeper, more durable fixes. Where
repairs used to average 2m², they now cover 6m² per defect and come
with a 12-month warranty, cutting repeat visits and disruption for
residents.

 Lancashire is also leading the way in innovation:

     * The county is the first in the UK to trial a small-repair asphalt
recycling machine, reducing waste, improving sustainability, and
stretching taxpayer money further.
    * AI-driven road inspections are now deployed across the A-road
network, automatically detecting safety issues, with plans to expand
county-wide.

 Holding Contractors and Utilities Accountable
Reform UK Lancashire has cracked down on poor practice in street works:

     * Permit refusals for unnecessary works are up 19%, ensuring fewer
unnecessary road closures.
    * Inspections have increased 9%, improving compliance.
    * Fixed Penalty Notices for non-compliance have jumped 90%.
    * Fines for overrun works are up 66%, keeping projects on schedule and
minimising inconvenience.

 Saving Money and Improving SEND School Transport
Reform UK Lancashire is also cutting costs and improving school
transport:

     * 50 new minibuses now in service, increasing occupancy from 3 to 5
passengers per journey.
    * Cost per passenger reduced by 30%, saving £838,000 in one year, with
an additional £608,000 avoided based on projected taxi use.
    * Transport Assistant Grants increased from 488 to 750, delivering
approx. £2 million in annual savings and a cumulative total of £3.8
million.
    * Over 200 parents now safely support their children on
single-occupancy journeys, avoiding costs of £1.8 million.

 Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and
Transport, said:
“Lancashire residents deserve roads that are safe, reliable, and
repaired properly the first time. For too long, maintenance was reactive
and inefficient. Our new approach prioritises quality, accountability,
and innovation. By taking control of utility works, improving repair
standards, and embracing AI and sustainable practices, we are saving
money and giving Lancashire the roads and services our communities
deserve.”

 Reform UK Lancashire will continue driving high standards, ensuring
highways management remains modern, efficient, and focused on real
improvements for local people.