Conservative-run Northumberland shows “staggering levels of negligence” on potholes.
Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody has slammed Conservative-run Northumberland’s record on potholes during a debate in Parliament on road maintenance.
The MP who represents the Cramlington and Seaton Valley areas of Northumberland highlighted research published by the RAC during her speech which showed that Northumberland County Council had the third highest level of potholes in the country, following years of Conservative leadership locally, and over £250,0000 paid out in nearly 450 compensation claims against the Council. The number of claims and level of payout is higher than all the other authorities in the North East Combined Authority combined.
During the debate, the Labour and Co-operative MP stated:
“Under the Conservatives in Northumberland we have seen staggering levels of negligence. We are now the county with the third-highest number of potholes in the entire country.”
“There has been more than £250,000 in payouts. That is a quarter of a million pounds of taxpayer money that could have been far better spent. That is truly staggering given that the Council could have avoided all that by adequately maintaining our roads.
“The Conservatives had their chance to fix the situation, and they failed. The roads are broken, and so is their credibility, both locally and nationally”.
Speaking after the debate, the Emma Foody MP said:
“There is a deep frustration among my constituents who are sick and tired of unsafe roads, damaged vehicles, and empty promises. For too long, Northumberland, under the Conservatives, have neglected the basics in road maintenance.
“Labour is stepping up to change that, with £1.6 billion in new funding and real accountability measures. Our communities have waited long enough, enough of the photo opportunities of the previous government, now it’s time to deliver.”