While I have been out and about across South Devon, one regular topic of conversation is potholes. As someone who drives hundreds of miles across the area each month, I share residents' frustration about the number and severity of potholes across our road network.
Unfortunately my debate on the subject, which was due to take place on 23rd May, was cancelled due to the upcoming election. While road maintenance is devolved to local authorities, I had been looking forward to raising the issue in Parliament, especially as over 700 residents took the time to complete my recent survey on the issue.
While it is welcome that Devon County Council and Torbay Council are set to receive hundreds of millions of pounds due to the change of position on HS2, I believe this money should be frontloaded so that local authorities can have it now. We should also look at the different techniques that are used around the world to repair roads and to sustain highways for longer periods of time.
If re-elected, I will keep fighting for potholes to be filled and roads to be repaired as quickly as possible, and in a way that ensures resilience and durability.