In the House of Commons, Mr Francis said: “The Conservative council cabinet member responsible for roads wrote to our local newspaper, News Shopper, asking that I stop reporting potholes because it was causing work for the council.
“Will the Prime Minister join me in urging my Conservative council to get on and spend that money to make roads, such as Mayplace Road East, safe to drive on?”
In response, the Prime Minister said: “So, this is a local Conservative council telling my honourable friend not to point out potholes in case it has to fill them. That is outrageous—just like the record of the last 14 years.
“We know how problematic, dangerous and costly potholes are to drivers. That is why we have delivered record investment to maintain our roads and fix potholes. That is £1.6bn. That money has been given to councils, but it comes with strings.
“My message to the council to reinforce that is clear: ‘Use the money, fix the roads and show how you are carrying out repairs, or lose the money’.
“It is councils that should get on with the job of fixing our roads. I will make sure the Roads Minister follows up with my honourable friend.”
