MP writes to council again over pothole issues

An MP has written to the leader of a council for the second time, demanding answers on whether its highways contract will be extended after constituent complaints.

Labour MP for Wellingborough and Rushden, Gen Kitchen, said she had relayed dissatisfaction about North Northamptonshire Council's maintenance contractor Kier, particularly regarding potholes on the A6 towards Chowns Mill roundabout.

The BBC contacted North Northamptonshire Council for comment.

"It is time for the Conservative-led council to step up and hold its contractors to account," said Ms Kitchen.

"If this contract is due to be extended the people of Wellingborough and Rushden deserve to know."

When the MP first contacted the local authority in August 2024, the council said the contractor had improved since concerns were raised.

At the time, council leader Jason Smithers did not confirm whether an extension to the contract was likely.

Then the MP recently posted on social media to criticise the local authority about a recurring pothole on the A6 between Irthlingborough and Rushden.

In her latest letter to the council, Ms Kitchen referenced previous council discussions confirming the contract could be extended from April 2025.

She also criticised recent road repairs that she claimed failed within hours, posing a risk to drivers.

The MP wrote: "It is hard to see evidence of these high standards when looking at the recent situation on the A6 in Irthlingborough approaching the Chowns Mill roundabout where repairs were failing within hours of them being carried out and could have led to the injury of drivers."

In August, the council said it was investing an additional £9m into roads over the next three years.

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