Oxfordshire allocates nearly £40m to repair roads, fix potholes, and improve drainage following council budget approval.
Many drivers complained about potholes on the B4019. These were between Coleshill and Badbury Woods. Someone put up a funny sign near Bicester, calling the area “Pothole World.” The council fixed 41,000 potholes in 2024.
The budget provides over £1 million for SEND children and another £1 million for railways. They allocated £3.6 million to improve flood measures, and the council will clean gullies every year. Council tax will increase by 4.99 percent starting April 1st.
Band D properties will pay £90.84 more per year, totaling £1,911.40 annually. The road funding is part of a two-year program, including £11.1 million for the Watlington Relief Road. Active travel gets £1.8 million, bridge repairs receive £16.2 million, and road safety improvements get £4 million.
Park & Ride ticket prices stay the same. Last year, they spent over £3 million on potholes. Dan Levy, a council cabinet member, said they are pleased to spend more on services that range from adult care to road work. He says the budget has good news for everyone.
The Liberal Democrats and Greens run the council. Labour made changes to the original budget, adding £1 million for pavements and cycleways. Early years SEND support gets £1.5milllion, child safeguarding receives £2 million, and they plan faster breakfast clubs.
Liz Brighouse leads the Labour group, stating Oxfordshire will gain funding and the new government will help fix roads. Eddie Reeves, leading the Conservative group, saw little difference between the other parties. The council had faced a £25 million shortfall in November, but government money in December helped.
Liz Leffman stated funding relied on the tax rise; two percent of that rise aids adult social care. In the final vote, 44 councillors voted for it, thirteen abstained, and none voted against.