Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Condition of Local Roads

Thursday 15 May 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • People in Birmingham are fed up with potholes and uncared-for drains due to years of underfunding and short-term budgets.
  • Motorists and cyclists face a "pothole plague" with 17% of roads in poor condition in Derby because of cuts imposed under the previous government.
  • This year, the government provides local authorities with 1.6 billion of funding for roads maintenance, including over 75 million for the East Midlands combined authority and 4.3 million specifically for Derbyshire.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laurence Turner Lab Birmingham Northfield
Transport Local Government
Context

In Birmingham, people are experiencing poor road conditions due to underfunding and short-term budgets. The local authority operates under a historical private finance initiative (PFI) contract.

Question

People in Birmingham are fed up with potholes and uncared-for drains after years of underfunding and short-term budgets. Services there are provided through a PFI contract, unlike other parts of the country. When will a decision be made on this contract's future? What steps will she take to improve Birmingham’s roads?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)

Following consultation with the council, we are carefully considering its formal representations on this matter. We will make an announcement on the way forward as soon as possible and commit to working together in the best interests of Birmingham's constituents, the city’s residents, and the taxpayer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not provide a specific timeline or steps related to improving road conditions in Birmingham beyond vague commitment language.

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Q2 Baggy Shanker Labour (Co-op) Derby South
Transport
Context

In Derby, 17% of the roads are in poor condition due to Tory austerity measures. Residents spend up to £460 on car repairs for damage caused by potholes.

Question

Motorists and cyclists face a 'pothole plague' with 17% of roads in poor condition in Derby because of cuts imposed under the previous government. With drivers having to pay out hard-earned cash, can she outline how her Department plans to protect drivers and fix potholes in Derby and across the UK?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)

This year, we provide local authorities with £1.6 billion of funding for roads maintenance, including over £75 million for the East Midlands combined authority and £4.3 million specifically for Derbyshire. New reporting requirements will be introduced next month to track what councils do with this money.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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