The non-principal road network is made up of classified roads and unclassified roads and comprises approximately 280km of the 311km total adopted highway network.

The accurate position is that for 2004/05 the target for the percentage of non-principal roads reconstructed or resurfaced was 4.42% and we achieved 4.05%. This is a significant increase in the 2003/04 result when only 0.41% of the roads were resurfaced. The percentage of roads resurfaced in 2004/05 would result in roads being resurfaced on average approximately once every 30 years.

The target for 2005/06 for the percentage of non-principal roads resurfaced is 3.76%, which amounts to approximately 10.5km. This is only a 7% cut from what was achieved in 2004/05 and would only amount to an increase in frequency of 1-2 years.

Indeed the targets have been slightly adjusted because this year's budget - approved by Council last February - took a saving of £50,000 from Highways Maintenance on the Revenue Account.

However, it should be noted that the figures quoted above are local performance indicators and only relate to the amount of work carried out. The nationally reported Audit Commission Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) refer to the condition of the Council's roads and for 2004/05 show Slough to be performing very well.

BVPI 97b which measures the condition of the non-principal unclassified roads in the Borough (approximately 250km) shows that we improved the condition of those roads to move from the bottom quartile nationally in 2003/04 to top quartile in 2004/05. This was achieved through targeting the roads in the worst condition and effective treatments. It is not expected that this small reduction in budget will have an effect on that position.

We have listened to our residents' demands for the improvement of our roads and footways and the significant improvement in our Best Value Performance Indicators shows we have acted on this. I am very proud and grateful to the Council's Highways Department for this remarkable achievement.