MP says roads 'appalling' after pothole bursts tyre

An Oxfordshire MP has said he has sympathy for those affected by "appalling" conditions on the roads after he burst a tyre on a pothole.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Henley & Thame, Freddie van Mierlo, told BBC Radio Oxford it happened between Chalgrove and Tetsworth, damaging his wife's car.

He called for more investment from government so councils can be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to potholes.

The Department for Transport said it was investing £500m in highway maintenance.

It comes after a sign for "Pothole World" was installed next to the A41 near Bicester.

Multiple drivers also reported damaging their cars on defects on the A4130 near Didcot, which Oxfordshire County Council said were proving "particularly difficult" to fix.

Mr van Mierlo said he was "pleased" that an extra £50m over two years was being proposed to maintain roads in the authority's upcoming budget.

The government announced an increase in funding for councils to tackle potholes in last year's budget, telling authorities to deliver "immediate fixes" on the roads most in need of repair.

It said Oxfordshire County Council will benefit from an additional £8.9m next year.

Mr van Mierlo told the Adam Ball show it was a big problem - highlighted by his own experience.

"The annoying thing was having to replace [the tyre], but the worst thing was that it was my wife's car and not mine - which upset her a lot," he said.

"We have seen an increase in funding from central government with the new government and we hope to see that carried forward.

"You can't repair potholes without money - and you need to move from being reactive to be proactive, and that needs the investment to come from central government."

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