Transport secretary Mark Harper pledges to fix potholes

Mr Harper visited two locations in the town - Kempshott Lane and St Michael's Road - the latter of which had recently been resurfaced, in comparison to the pothole-ridden Kempshott Lane.

Speaking to the Gazette, Mr Harper explained how a reallocation of funds has meant that completely resurfacing roads in the town is possible.

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Mark Harper, pictured with Maria Miller MP and Cllr Stephen Reid (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "One of the things we're doing with the money we've reallocated from cancelling the second phase of HS2 is an unprecedented increase in the amount of money to spend on the quality of local roads in Hampshire, over the next 10 years are going to get £132m."

The Gazette asked Mr Harper about what he has to say to those who have experienced damage to their vehicles, caused by potholes.

He said: "It explains exactly why we've decided to make this a priority. Politics is about choices, and we already fund local authorities significantly, they've had £5m over the last spending review period but we've decided to make a choice with that reallocated HS2 money to invest a significant amount, £8.3bn across the country in improved quality of local roads.

"Now I think people think that's the right priority, it's not something that our political opponents are supporting so there is very clear choice for people, if they want this investment in local roads, for the next 10 years, then they need a Conservative government to do it."

The damaged surface of Kempshott Lane (Image: Newsquest)

The Gazette asked Mr Harper if the repairs going forward will be of good quality, and not simply temporary fixes or patchwork jobs that we have seen throughout the town.

He said: "One of the things we've done, we've talked to some of the fantastic highways team today, one of the things we've said we want to do is have them look at innovative technology so both how you monitor the quality of the road and how you work out the right time to resurface it.

"Also the kit used to do that work in a quality way and most importantly, giving the council certainty about funding means it can plan a proper programme of resurfacing rather than just having to patch things in a reactive way.

"In the end that's how you get better quality local roads and that's why a long-term consistent increase in funding is the right thing to do."

When asked about the recent increase in road tax, and how it does not reflect on the quality of roads, Mr Harper said: "We've made a very clear commitment with that reallocated HS2 money in our plan that was set out.

"It's a commitment over the next decade, we've set out what the total amount of money is that the county council is going to get - £132m - so with a Conservative government that's a clear commitment that people can take to the bank and is not something that our opponents are promising.

"I'm sure we'll be able to deliver that improved road quality for drivers who pay their road tax."