MP calls on minister for aid in getting more pothole fixing machines

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Transport, Andrew Jones visited Boston in March to see plans and visit the site of The Quadrant. From left, Councillor Peter Bedford, Andrew Jones, Matt Warman MP. EMN-160429-111307001

Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman, praised the Roadmaster Velocity Patcher, of which Lincolnshire County Council has one, for being able to fill 300 holes in a day.

He said the county ‘would like more’ of the machines, and asked what help Minister Andrew Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Transport, could give it.

He added: “Will he consider incentivising councils to work together so that we can increase the nationwide fleet of these fantastic machines?”

Mr Jones told the minister he was aware of the machine and that the Government would ‘certainly support the use of innovative and efficient methods to maintain our local highways’.

He added: “We have provided a budget of more than £6 billion for highways maintenance, plus there is the pothole action fund. We have introduced incentive elements to the highways maintenance fund, which includes an element of collaboration.

“I should like to see local authorities working with their neighbours right across the country in exactly the way that my hon. Friend describes.”

The question also sparked a wry comment from House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, who said: “The Minister clearly enjoys a life of undiluted excitement.”