Debates between Sean Woodcock and Lilian Greenwood during the 2024 Parliament

Tue 17th Mar 2026

Rural Roads

Debate between Sean Woodcock and Lilian Greenwood
Tuesday 17th March 2026

(3 days, 18 hours ago)

Westminster Hall
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Westminster Hall is an alternative Chamber for MPs to hold debates, named after the adjoining Westminster Hall.

Each debate is chaired by an MP from the Panel of Chairs, rather than the Speaker or Deputy Speaker. A Government Minister will give the final speech, and no votes may be called on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Lilian Greenwood Portrait Lilian Greenwood
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Not right now.

Rural residents are all too familiar with the reality, which is why this Government have taken decisive action. We are providing record funding for local highways maintenance, supporting councils not only to repair damage caused by recent winters but to break the cycle of deterioration that has built up over more than a decade.

Sean Woodcock Portrait Sean Woodcock
- Hansard - -

Will the Minister give way?

Lilian Greenwood Portrait Lilian Greenwood
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Of course I will.

Sean Woodcock Portrait Sean Woodcock
- Hansard - -

I am grateful to the Minister for outlining the steps the Government are taking to make up for the years of underfunding of council highways by the Opposition parties. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson tried to defend Oxfordshire county council; will the Minister address what that council has done? I get complaints from constituents about the quality of the work. The newly repaired Stratford Road in Banbury has already disintegrated to expose under-street cables.

Lilian Greenwood Portrait Lilian Greenwood
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is right to raise his concerns. It is of course the case that, where local authorities undertake repairs, we want them to be proper, permanent repairs that do not immediately deteriorate.