Many county councils across England appear to have responded to criticisms about failing to make pothole repair and road maintenance a top priority, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has found, with increased spending across the country.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the IAM has found councils are following government-stated best practice and increasingly investing more money into capital projects (i.e. road rebuilding) rather than spending funds on short-term temporary repairs.

In early 2015 the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) confirmed a backlog of repairs topped £12 billion, while an IAM survey found that 64 per cent of participants cited general road maintenance as one of their biggest concerns (reference 1).

The FOI request asked county councils how much they spent on fixing road surface defects such as potholes and how much they spent on capital projects to resurface roads between 2013 and 2015.

While the IAM’s findings reveal many councils are spending less on filling potholes, 17 out of 23 of them are in fact spending more overall on resurfacing worn-out roads.

The top five county councils to invest the most money into road repairs and resurfacing between 2014/15 include:

1. Surrey – £44 million 2. North Yorkshire – £43.9 million 3. Cumbria – £33.5 million 4. Devon – £32 million 5. Lincolnshire – £30.2 million

In percentage terms, the following councils have increased their capital spending on resurfacing roads the most:

1. Oxfordshire – 139 per cent (from £4.6 million to £11 million) 2. Cambridgeshire – 85 per cent (from £10.5 million to £19.4 million) 3. Norfolk – 45 per cent (from £19 million to £27.6 million) 4. Leicestershire – 43 per cent (from £7.5 million to £10.7 million) 5. West Sussex – 38 per cent (from £19.5 million to £27 million)

County councils that have invested the most money into temporary pothole repairs between 2014/15 include:

1. Kent - £7.7 million 2. Devon - £5.98 million 3. Gloucestershire - £5.93 million 4. Cumbria - £5.4 million 5. Surrey - £4.88 million

The top five councils increasing spending for temporary pothole repairs in percentage terms compared to the previous year are:

1. West Sussex – 57 per cent (from £1.4 million to £2.2 million) 2. Nottinghamshire - 28 per cent (from £1.5 million to £1.92 million) 3. Norfolk – 23 per cent (from £2.6 million to £3.2 million) 4. Devon – 21 per cent (from £4.9 million to £5.9 million) 5. Dorset – 15 per cent (from £2.6 million to £3.2 million)

In tandem with the increase in spending on resurfacing roads, the IAM has discovered eight out of 21 councils are spending less on filling potholes.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “We are very pleased that our calls for greater investment in local roads appear to be having some effect.

“We hope this trend continues. With council tax increases this April, we very much hope councils will use some of the extra money in continued investment in their own vital local roads, the condition of which has a direct impact on road safety.

“The IAM welcomed the government’s pothole fund as a solution for short-term problems, but our figures show that the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme is really starting to deliver long-term benefits by encouraging a shift to capital spend and sharing of knowledge and resources.”

The future of the London Motorcycle Museum is in doubt after its landlord, Ealing Council, reduced its rate subsidy resulting in a potential yearly bill of £30,000 for next year. Not only that but they have backdated the demand, meaning the museum is already in arrears to the tune of over £10,000!

Blaming the decision on government cutbacks, the council say it has no choice and it is not singling out the museum, recognising its contribution towards putting the area on the map and bringing tourism income to the area.

However, kind words have not helped and the trustees have come to the difficult decision of raising entrance prices and launching an appeal to help pay the bills for the next year whilst working on other revenue possibilities for the longer term that will allow the museum to remain.

They are reluctant to move outside London, where property prices and rates are cheaper, as museum founder Bill Crosby is passionate about providing a motorcycle museum for the capital – the only one in London. He is fighting to prevent the doors closing and breaking up the collection of nearly 200 bikes including many rarities and prototypes.

The news came as a harsh blow as the museum volunteers recently put in a lot of work improving the inside of the old farm buildings to showcase the Derek Minter collection of trophies as well as being recognised by the National Lottery who had awarded a small sum of money to the museum to allow it to promote itself on a wider scale.

The trustees have vowed to explore all legal options, but in the meantime are asking for donations, however small, to be made to the ‘Just Giving’ page that has been set up (you can find details on Facebook and the LMM website) or for people to visit the museum over the next few months and maybe donate directly.

Donate here

Sunday 24th January  9am – 5pm

This year’s annual Australia Day, held at the cafe on Sunday 24th January 2016, is set to be a fair dinkum occasion and includes not only authentic Australian tucker on the “Specials” menu, with BBQ’d King Prawns (with Garlic Butter), Vegemite Penne (with Parmesan Cheese), and Milo Bread n’ Butter Pudding. Also, subject to the weather, an outside Brrr “Barbie” for those who have the stamina!

So hop along in your Holden’s, Ford’s and Chryslers to meet Skippy and friends!

Spot prizes are up for grabs on the day for the “Best Dressed Aussies”, plus spend £5 or more over the counter from 10am and receive a raffle ticket. Draw to be held at 3pm, with two raffle prize goodie packs to be won.

For more information about what's on at the Ace, check out the scrolling calendar @ www.ace-cafe-london.com

The VMCC will have a big presence at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, on 12-13 March, 2016. Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE), Clyde Valley and Central Scottish Sections and the new Glasgow Group will all be exhibiting. HQ will also be attending, bringing up the latest raffle bikes and opportunities to meet and talk to Tim Penn, VMCC President and Giles Willison, General Manager. This combined effort should result in the VMCC being one of the largest exhibitors in the Classic Hall. There will be at least twenty bikes on display covering all ages from the veterans through to the modern classics. The Club hopes that it will help to get a stronger message across to attract new members with a special "join at the event" offer just for the show.

VMCC President, Tim Penn, said,” It is the first time that VMCC HQ has taken the decision to exhibit in Scotland and offers a great opportunity for members to meet Allen House staff. Scotland is a hotbed of activity at present and we are keen to do our bit to support the Scottish membership. The raffle bikes should attract a lot of interest and there will be a promotional offer at the Show to encourage new recruits to join the Club. Make a note in your diary and come along and see us at Ingliston and spread the word that it would be a great opportunity for new recruits to join the Club and get involved in the vibrant Scottish scene.”

KICKBACK #8 takes place at Stoneleigh Park Exhibition Centre in Warwickshire from 16-17th April. The KICKBACK Show will feature a stunning and unique collection of custom-made motorcycles.

As well as a fine showcase of modern-retro custom motorbikes KICKBACK is also hosting the definitive competition dedicated to engineering & design excellence: the National Championship of Custom Bike Building.

There are six categories in the National Championships:

1. Young Builder (supporting the under 30s)

2. Raw Freestyle (no rules except the bikes must be unpainted, in the raw)

3. Cafe Racer / Street Tracker (in the modern-retro style)

4. Old School Chopper (trad/rad chopper, bobber etc from before 1990)

5. Performance Custom (streetfighter / road burner style)

6. Street Cub (Honda Cub based customs)

Then a special prize for Best in Show.

For the KICKBACK National Championships to justify its position as the UK's definitive awards for engineering & design excellence, only the finest custom masterpieces will be competing. Meanwhile, the judging panel certainly matches this very high standard and includes Larry Houghton (Lamb Engineering), Pete Pearson (Rocket Bobs) and Paul Milbourn.

Only three British custom bike builders have ever finished in the top 5 in the AMD World Championships (Freestyle) and they are Larry, Pete and Paul! We have all three on the judging panel again!

KICKBACK #8: Motorbikes. Engineering. Design. Lifestyle. Art.

Discounted tickets to KICKBACK are on sale now along with more information at TheCustomShow.com