First Minister recalls Connah’s Quay pothole complaints as Wales confirms 200,000 repairs
First Minister Eluned Morgan has told the Senedd she remembers visiting Connah’s Quay during her ‘listening tour’ and hearing directly from residents that potholes were their top local concern.
The Welsh Government confirmed that additional funding has helped prevent or repair around 200,000 potholes across Wales.
The exchange came at First Minister’s questions on Tuesday when Carolyn Thomas MS (Labour, North Wales) asked for a delivery update on the Welsh Government’s commitment to fixing roads and pavements.
Ms Morgan told the Senedd the visit to Connah’s Quay had stayed with her.
“I remember that visit to Connah’s Quay very clearly. In fact, one of the people who brought up the issue was Jack Sargeant’s mum,” she said.
Ms Thomas said the visit had confirmed what she had been telling the Welsh Government for some time.
“When we went to Connah’s Quay, the residents actually backed me up, saying the No. 1 issue was potholes. I felt vindicated for keeping going on about it,” she said..
The Welsh Government provided local authorities with £10 million this financial year, which Ms Morgan said had unlocked over £70 million for additional maintenance improvements. A further £25 million has been invested on the strategic road network.
Ms Morgan said the additional funding had made a measurable difference. “I am really proud that this additional funding has already helped to prevent or repair around 200,000 potholes across Wales,” she said.
Local transport grants have also been devolved to each region, including north Wales, a move Ms Thomas welcomed as giving councils the ability to plan improvement schemes rather than simply reacting to individual defects.
Ms Thomas called for a long-term funding plan to be maintained, warning against a return to “reactionary work” filling potholes one at a time without the ability to plan ahead.
“Roads and pavements need significant ongoing investment so councils can plan improvement schemes going forward, not just for motor vehicles but also for cyclists and pedestrians,” she said.
Ms Morgan acknowledged bad weather had created additional pressure on road surfaces and said the situation in England was worse because equivalent investment had not been made at the same time.
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