Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pothole Repairs: Strategic Road Network

Thursday 26 March 2026 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • National Highways targets serious potholes for repair within 24 hours and aims to keep 96.2% of road surfaces in good condition.
  • The Minister criticized Lancashire county council for not providing basic information to residents about repair times and demands.
  • Funding for pothole repairs will almost double by the end of the Parliament to help councils address the issue effectively.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Smith Lab Hyndburn
Transport
Context

The strategic road network in Hyndburn and Haslingden faces significant pothole issues, impacting local residents negatively.

Question

What steps are you taking to repair potholes on the strategic road network? My constituents in Hyndburn and Haslingden are blighted by potholes that cost them hundreds of pounds. Twice recently, the Reform-led county council repainted road markings before completing resurfacing works on the same roads.

Answer from Simon Lightwood

National Highways targets serious potholes for repair within 24 hours. Under the new road investment strategy, it must keep 96.2% of road surfaces in good condition and resurface around a quarter of its network over five years. Lancashire combined county authority is eligible to receive £268 million in highways maintenance funding over four years as part of a £7.3 billion investment in local roads.

Answered
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Q2 Sarah Smith Lab Hyndburn
Transport Local Government
Context

Lancashire county council has received significant funding but is failing to communicate effectively with residents about road repair times and demands.

Question

Does the Minister agree that it is unacceptable that Lancashire county council refuses to update residents on its repair times and whether it meets their demands?

Answer from Simon Lightwood

It is not acceptable for this Reform-led council to refuse to provide basic information to my hon. Friend's constituents. 25% of Reform-led councils have been rated red, and Labour councils have come out on top.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue regarding repair times and demands was not directly addressed; instead, the answer focused on council ratings.

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Q3 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Transport
Context

Residents in Spelthorne are encouraged to report pothole issues via the Surrey county council website.

Question

Will the Minister join me in encouraging all my Spelthorne residents who have a complaint about a pothole to report it via the Surrey county council website?

Answer from Simon Lightwood

I absolutely agree that constituents should report potholes to their local authority. By the end of this Parliament, funding will be almost doubled to allow councils to address the pothole issue effectively.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific encouragement to use the Surrey county council website was not addressed; instead, a general commitment on increased funding was provided.

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