MP urges Government to reverse cuts to local councils after record rise in pothole-related car breakdowns

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is urging the Government to reverse its decision to slash Cumbria's road repair budget by almost a quarter after a record rise in the number of pothole-related car breakdowns.

New figures from the RAC show that in the first three months of this year, the they received nearly 5,000 call-outs for vehicles likely damaged by potholes, around three times as many as in the last three months of 2020.

Last month the Government cut Cumbria County Council's funding to repair damaged roads and potholes by £10.5m.

The RAC said today that "many drivers are finding themselves having to use roads that in places better resemble the surface of the Moon" and a result "thousands are suffering from unnecessary and costly breakdowns caused by potholes".

Tim said: "Pot holes are always the number one issue people raise with me when I'm out knocking on doors in the South Lakes - no matter which town or village I'm in.

"Disappointingly though, the Conservatives just simply aren't listening - and regular road users in Cumbria are the ones paying the price.

"The Government must immediately fill this massive hole in Cumbria's pothole repair budget so Cumbrians can have the decent quality roads that their taxes pay for."