Liberal Democrats Warn Against £3m Portway Overspend
Liberal Democrat councillors have warned that proposals to cover a £3 million overspend on the A4 Portway improvement works could compromise road safety and pothole repairs across the city.
A report scheduled for consideration by Bristol City Council’s Transport & Connectivity Policy Committee on Thursday 22 October proposes using funds currently earmarked for local highways maintenance to plug the funding gap on the over-budget project.
The Portway works are funded via a City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) grant administered by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). However, spiralling project costs have left the council seeking additional funds to balance the books.
£1m Road Maintenance Budget Win at Risk
In this year’s council budget, the Liberal Democrats secured an additional £1 million specifically designated for citywide road maintenance and repairs. Party leaders warn that this budget win is now endangered if funds are diverted to cover major capital project overruns.
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Key Decision Date: Bristol Transport & Connectivity Policy Committee meeting on Thursday 22 October 2026.
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Funding Gap: £3 million cost overruns on the A4 Portway scheme.
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Proposed Solution: Diverting existing council highways maintenance funds to cover the deficit.
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Lib Dem Alternative: Calling on the WECA Mayor to absorb the extra project costs from regional transport funding pools.
“Get the Basics Right”: Call for WECA to Step In
Liberal Democrat councillors argue that regional transport authorities holding major project funds should bear the responsibility for cost overruns, rather than stripping money away from local street repairs.
Cllr Nicholas Coombes (Liberal Democrat, Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze), a member of the Transport & Connectivity Policy Committee, commented:
“The council’s road maintenance budget should never be sacrificed to cover the overrunning cost of grand projects. The funds are needed day-to-day for safe and reliable infrastructure across the city, which are used by pedestrians, cyclists, bus users, motorcyclists and drivers alike.
“Bristolians don’t want to cover the costs of an expensive project at the expense of the road outside of their house being filled with yet more potholes. People expect the council to get the basics right, and ensuring that roads are kept in good condition is one of them.”
Cllr Coombes added that if maintenance funds are temporarily drawn down to balance the project, the money must be fully reimbursed to the highways maintenance budget before the end of the financial year.
For details on local transport policies and upcoming council committee agendas, visit the official Bristol City Council Transport & Streets Portal.
To check out the latest local politics, transport updates, and community news across the region, visit Direct Local Bristol.
