May 2017 – Celebrating 10 years
In the run-up to this month’s local government elections, the hopeful candidates (in my little corner of England, at least) had plenty to say about the parlous state of the local roads.
The roads are appalling – with huge potholes and crumbling verges lurking round every corner.
More undoubtedly needs to be spent on road maintenance but, as our feature on page 25 explains, local authorities are facing cuts of up to 50% in their capital budgets and the money just isn’t there.
Somewhat bizarrely, though, government funds have been found for what, to many people, might seem a less that practicable solution to this urgent problem: robotic road repairs.
It’s hard to imagine that one day our decrepit local roads will be mended by an army of autonomous, driverless vehicles. But if they’re going to do it, they’d better hurry up. Soon there won’t be any roads left to repair.
David Taylor
Editor
Features