Transport minister pledges to fight for more money for roadworks in budget talks

RIGA - Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens (Progressives) during a meeting with the Development Council of Zemgale Planning Region pledged to fight for more money for the Road Fund in the upcoming budget talks.

As LETA was told at the Transport Ministry, the transport minister said during the meeting that in order to lessen regional inequalities it is necessary to secure more financing for the Road Fund in budget talks, improve criteria for priority road repairs, ensuring access to essential social facilities, including schools and nursing homes.

The minister also indicated that excise duty on oil products should make up a larger share of the Road Fund's income, so that more funding is available for road repairs than is currently the case, adding that excise on oil products should provide at least 80 percent instead of the current 52 percent of the fund's money. 

Last Friday, March 22, Briskens met with representatives of the Zemgale and Vidzeme planning regions' councils and municipalities, while on March 15 the transport minister attended a meeting of the Kurzeme planning region's development council to discuss transport related matters in each region.