Priceless Paintings from W7

Our local council here in Ealing has its flaws and weaknesses, as they all do. However, self-praise, shoulder-slapping and chest-beating are not among those weaknesses. You’ve got to give them that.

The council’s latest one is the 8.5 Million Pounds bravado. 8.5 millions, so they boast on countless posters and banners throughout the borough, is their magnificent investment in road maintenance. The fact that they don’t say “extra” alone makes me suspicious, but I regret being unable to find much in terms of hard numbers.

Ealing has a population of approximately 300,000, with 36km of principal roads and, without doubt, much more minor roads and residential streets. I couldn’t find the total length of public roads and streets under the responsibility of the Borough of Ealing, or the total of the public paved area. With 36km of principal roads, I don’t 360km for the total will be an overestimate.

So, allow me to work on the basis of 360km. £8,500,000 / 360,000m = 23.61 pounds per metre for street maintenance. Filling a single pothole is £72 on average, so the BBC told us just a few nights ago.

I have the feeling that £8.5 is nothing to boast about, but simply what a town of that size ought to invest for upkeep and street maintenance. I’d be really grateful if anyone out there could put me right, provide some real numbers, pointers for reference, etc.

Current Affairs, Thoughts Ealing council, london