Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Matt Rodda Excerpts
Thursday 21st November 2024

(1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Louise Haigh Portrait Louise Haigh
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Of course, a priority for this Government is to keep public transport affordable, but our absolute priority is to fix the mess in the railways that we inherited after 14 years of under-investment, decline and putting passengers last in a broken system.

Matt Rodda Portrait Matt Rodda (Reading Central) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

8. What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition of local roads.

Mark Sewards Portrait Mr Mark Sewards (Leeds South West and Morley) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

9. What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition of local roads.

--- Later in debate ---
Louise Haigh Portrait The Secretary of State for Transport (Louise Haigh)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The Government are determined to improve the condition of local roads. We had a manifesto commitment to support councils in fixing up to 1 million more potholes per year. We are going above and beyond that manifesto commitment: last month’s Budget confirmed an increase of £500 million for next financial year to fix Britain’s crumbling roads.

Matt Rodda Portrait Matt Rodda
- View Speech - Hansard - -

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 has started resurfacing large sections of road? That not only creates a smoother surface for drivers, but has been proven to save money in the long run.

Louise Haigh Portrait Louise Haigh
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

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.