Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Condition of Local Roads

Thursday 21 November 2024 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local authorities are responsible for the state of their local roads, but with a 500 million increase for '25-26, they are expected to prioritize road repairs.
  • Reading borough council is praised for its practices in preventing potholes and improving road quality.
  • National Highways and the Under-Secretary of State for Transport will follow up on issues related to motorway noise near the M25.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Taylor Lab North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Transport
Context

The MP highlighted a significant issue with the state of local roads, affecting road users daily. She noted that nearly 20% of her constituents work in vital freight and logistics sectors.

Question

I am concerned about the adequacy of the condition of local roads and its impact on the essential work of my constituents in the freight and logistics sector who suffer from pothole-riddled roads, causing damage to their vehicles. With a £500 million increase provided by the Government for road repairs, what specific action will Warwickshire county council take to address this issue?

Answer from Louise Haigh

Local authorities are responsible for the state of their local roads, but with this significant uplift for '25-26, we expect them to ensure that that is a priority, and to tackle the state of the local roads, which is affecting my hon. Friend's constituents so badly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions by Warwickshire county council were not provided

How: We Expect Them To Ensure

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Q2 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Transport
Context

The MP welcomed the announcement of funding and highlighted that Reading borough council had started resurfacing large sections of roads, which has been proven to save money in the long run.

Question

I pay tribute to Lord Prescott. I welcome the Secretary of State's announcement of this vital funding. Will she comment on the excellent work carried out by Reading borough council which is creating a smoother surface for drivers and ensuring that we prevent potholes and improve the quality and lifespan of our local roads?

Answer from Louise Haigh

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the excellent practices being undertaken by Reading borough council. That is the kind of innovation that we need to see across the country—not just fixing and repairing potholes, but ensuring that we prevent them and improve the quality and lifespan of our local roads.

Answered
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Q3 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Transport Environment
Context

The MP highlighted a serious issue with motorway noise in his constituency, where some homes and schools cannot open windows due to the noise from concrete sections of the M25.

Question

People living near the concrete sections of the M25 in my constituency are besieged by motorway noise. Some schools and homes cannot even open windows because of this. Does the Secretary of State agree that this is an absolute disgrace, and will she support my campaign to scrap the concrete sections of the M25 motorway?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I believe the hon. Gentleman met the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend hon. Member for Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood), last week on exactly that issue. She will follow up on it, as will National Highways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Direct agreement or support was not given

How: Hon. Gentleman Met

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Q4 Mark Sewards Lab Leeds South West and Morley
Transport
Context

The MP described the poor state of roads in his constituency, comparing Asquith Avenue to the surface of the moon and highlighting daily potholes issues for commuters and rural areas.

Question

I associate myself with comments about Lord Prescott. The roads in Leeds South West and Morley are in a dire state. What reassurances can you give my constituents that those roads will be improved, and when can they expect these improvements?

Answer from Louise Haigh

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Potholes and poor road conditions are a menace that make our roads less safe and have saddled drivers with costly repairs. The £500 million uplift will be available in '25-26, and we will announce the allocations shortly, including those for West Yorkshire.

Answered
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Q5 Rachel Taylor Lab North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Transport
Context

The MP noted that nearly 20% of her constituents work in the freight and logistics sector, which continues to bear the brunt of road repairs due to poor conditions caused by potholes.

Question

I also pay tribute to Lord Prescott. Nearly 20% of my constituents work in the vital freight and logistics sector, yet they continue to pick up the bill for road repairs due to potholes. Now that a £500 million increase is available for fixing potholes, does the Secretary of State agree that the council must take action to tackle these potholes causing damage to my constituents' vehicles?

Answer from Louise Haigh

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Local authorities are responsible for the state of their local roads, but with this significant uplift for '25-26, we expect them to ensure that that is a priority, and to tackle the state of the local roads, which is affecting my hon. Friend's constituents so badly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions by council not detailed

How: Expect Them To Ensure

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Q6 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Transport
Context

The MP paid tribute to John Prescott's impact on the politics of the Humber region. He mentioned that traffic from A180 is being transferred onto roads causing them significant pressure.

Question

John Prescott was a towering figure in the politics of the Humber region, and I associate myself with the words of sympathy to his family. Roads in my constituency are under greater pressure because traffic from the A180 is continually being transferred on to them while it is being patched up. Will the Secretary of State meet me and Melanie Onn to discuss this and other transport issues in the area?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am sure that the Minister with responsibility for roads, my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood), would be very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes (Melanie Onn).

Answered
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Q7 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Crime & Law Enforcement Transport
Context

The MP mentioned the issue of road safety depending on vehicle compliance, highlighting illegal usage without tax, registration, or MOT certificates.

Question

Too many vehicles illegally use our roads without tax, registration, or MOT. Will the Secretary of State meet industry experts to discuss solutions for tackling this problem and making our roads safer?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that important point. I have met the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to talk about its important enforcement work in this area. Measures of that kind will absolutely be considered in the development of our road safety strategy, and we will work closely with stakeholders.

Answered
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Q8 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Transport Local Government
Context

The MP quoted the RAC director, highlighting the need for long-term funding settlements for councils to address perennial road issues.

Question

Talking of pothole repairs and road resurfacing, the RAC director said: 'The long-term solution is a long-term funding settlement for councils so they can finally get on top of what has been a perennial problem.' But councils do not know how much money they will get from the £500 million. When will our councils actually get their allocations?

Answer from Louise Haigh

As I have said, the £500 million is available for '25-26, and those allocations will be announced shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific date not provided

How: Allocations Will Be Announced Shortly

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Q9 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Transport Local Government
Context

The previous Government committed £8.3 billion to road repairs using funds from the cancelled sections of High Speed 2, but Labour now claims a backlog of more than £16 billion and only offers £500 million in funding.

Question

I am just trying to get answers for our councils. Of course, it was the previous Government who committed £8.3 billion to road repairs, using money from the rightly cancelled sections of High Speed 2. Back in May, when it was in opposition, Labour tried to claim a backlog of more than £16 billion in road repairs, but now it just trumpets funding of £500 million. That is not enough, is it?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for recognising the appalling state of our local roads, and the appalling backlog that we inherited. The significant uplift allocated for next year will start to turn the page on 14 years of decline, but of course that cannot be achieved overnight.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding amount requested by questioner was not addressed with a concrete figure or commitment

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