John Stewart
East Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Decisions taken over the next two months will determine whether Northern Ireland has a modern, responsive enterprise service or whether we simply roll forward a model that increasingly struggles to keep pace with the world around it.”
“<BR /> <BR />I understand that significant efforts have been made to bring the Department for the Economy, councils and Enterprise NI around a table to design collaboratively the modernised service for 2027, yet that meeting still has not happened. That is deeply disappointing.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Enterprise Northern Ireland and note the outstanding work of our local enterprise agencies, which go above and beyond, often in challenging financial circumstances, for our entrepreneurs and businesses.”
“I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party group on micro and small business, but I feel that I must highlight an issue that should concern every Member, regardless of party or constituency.”
“The infrastructure in Larne West is shambolic and fails residents and commuters daily. Minister, you will be aware of an ombudsman's investigation of the missing link road at Ballyloran that reported last February on the back of my office having brought the matter to it.”
“The Bill sends an important message that demonstrates confidence in the governance arrangements that are already in place and in the boards and management teams that have successfully led the organisations for many years.”
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“<BR /> <BR />I understand that significant efforts have been made to bring the Department for the Economy, councils and Enterprise NI around a table to design collaboratively the modernised service for 2027, yet that meeting still has not happened. That is deeply disappointing. We now have a 12-week window in which meaningful engagement can take place. The clock is ticking, so we must ask what is preventing that collaboration. Is it a lack of urgency, a lack of trust or simply a lack of ambition? These are difficult and concerning times for our enterprise sector. I therefore urge the Minister for the Economy to act quickly and work with all stakeholders to ensure that collaboration is done properly in the coming weeks.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Enterprise Northern Ireland and note the outstanding work of our local enterprise agencies, which go above and beyond, often in challenging financial circumstances, for our entrepreneurs and businesses. Day in, day out and often with limited resources, they work at the coalface of enterprise, supporting people with an idea, helping new businesses survive those difficult first years and backing local entrepreneurs in every corner of our country. That experience is invaluable. Enterprise NI has produced a paper on the evidence base, which draws together research, international best practice, programme evaluation and decades of practical delivery experience. That paper deserves serious consideration.”
“Decisions taken over the next two months will determine whether Northern Ireland has a modern, responsive enterprise service or whether we simply roll forward a model that increasingly struggles to keep pace with the world around it. <BR /> <BR />Technology is changing; artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses grow and start up; consumer behaviour is evolving; and business models are changing faster than ever before. Our enterprise support system risks standing still, and the evidence is sobering. Northern Ireland now has the lowest business start-up rate across the UK and Ireland, while our business survival rates continue to lag behind those of our neighbours. At a time when every business creates jobs, wealth, innovation and stronger communities, that should concern us all.”
“I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party group on micro and small business, but I feel that I must highlight an issue that should concern every Member, regardless of party or constituency. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how we support entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses from April 2027, but that window is rapidly closing. The UK Government have made it clear that responsibility for the local growth fund will transfer to Executive Departments from April 2027. That funding is fundamental to the future of the Go Succeed programme and our entire enterprise support system.”
“The infrastructure in Larne West is shambolic and fails residents and commuters daily. Minister, you will be aware of an ombudsman's investigation of the missing link road at Ballyloran that reported last February on the back of my office having brought the matter to it. The investigation found maladministration, and your Department was to redouble its efforts with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and other stakeholders to bring about a resolution to the shambolic situation. As part of that, the Department was to process all considered options available and report to the ombudsman's office within six months: that was 18 months ago. I am one of the stakeholders; we have heard nothing. What is your Department doing about it?”
“I know that that strays into the remit of other Departments, particularly the Department for the Economy, but it will be interesting to see whether we can track that. Any impact, even a 10% reduction in insurance premiums, would be vastly helpful to young people, some of whom are being quoted between £3,500 and £4,500 a year — I do not need to tell you that. <BR /> <BR />Those are just some of the points that I wanted to raise. I am keen to see this going forward and look forward to the roll-out. Hopefully, the Minister and her officials will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that it is rolled out efficiently.”
“While road safety is paramount, and that is the intent of the GDL regulations, the by-product of that will, hopefully, be a reduction in insurance premiums. I do not have to tell the House just how ridiculous insurance fees are for young people here. Some are being quoted mortgage-like prices, and the Association of British Insurers has finally accepted that it needs to amend the reporting mechanism. As members of the Committee will know, until we asked for that to be changed, the ABI was not reporting by area or by demographic, which meant that we were not able to track whether young people in Northern Ireland would be positively affected by the introduction of the GDL. <BR /> <BR />Going forward, Minister, my understanding is that the ABI will do that.”
“Over the weekend, however, when I was out and about around the constituency, driving instructors and soon-to-be first-time provisional drivers were asking me questions that I still did not know the answer to. The driving instructors were concerned about the roll-out of their GDL training. I urge the Minister to continue her ongoing engagement. Members have raised that at the Committee, but there is a fear of the unknown in how that training will be rolled out. I hope that that comes to fruition, and I will be keen to hear the Minister's opinion on that. <BR /> <BR />Other Members raised the issue of insurance costs. One of the arguments that is often advanced in support of the GDL is that it will result in safer roads and reduce risk over time, which, in turn, will lead to lower insurance premiums for newly qualified drivers.”
“I thank the Members of the Youth Assembly in particular. Young drivers are among those who will be most affected by the changes, and it was vital that we got their input. Many of those who spoke to us on the day were only two or three years old when the consultation took place and the legislation was passed, so it was interesting to get their insight. While they pointed out that they would have liked further consultation, they were aware of why that did not happen. <BR /> <BR />Moving forward, I will be keen to get assurances from the Minister that every effort will be made to ensure that the introduction of the GDL is as seamless and effective as possible. Her officials have been working tirelessly behind the scenes.”
“In particular, I thank representatives from the Driving Instructor Association, the Northern Ireland Approved Instructor Council, the Association of British Insurers and the Youth Assembly for their thoughtful contributions.”
“The Minister will point to the fact that they were consulted in 2015, but the reality is that, like the Committee, they found out from listening to the airwaves. For full and effective implementation, it might have been better to bring them along at the earliest possible stage, so that there was not the fear that they would not be ready in time for the roll-out, but we are where we are. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased that, following Committee scrutiny and subsequent engagement with the Department, DVA and the instructor sector, many of those concerns appear to have been addressed. That demonstrates the value of constructive engagement and effective Assembly scrutiny. Like the Committee Chair, I record my thanks to all those who took the time to come to the Committee and give evidence during that consideration period.”
“However, I have made this point before, and it is not personal in any way, but the roll-out could have been handled better. Throughout the Committee's scrutiny process, it became clear that greater engagement with key stakeholders at an earlier stage would have made for a smoother, more streamlined implementation process. In particular, concerns were raised by representatives of the driving instructor sector regarding communication, preparedness and operational clarity. Driving instructors, as we know, are at the coalface of driver education and training. They have a unique understanding of the practical realities facing learners and newly qualified drivers. Their expertise should have been valued and utilised from the outset when significant changes such as those were being proposed.”
“Before I start, I send my condolences and thoughts to the family of Kourtney McCormick and the families of all those who have lost their lives on our roads this year and in recent years. It is truly tragic, and our thoughts are with them all. <BR /> <BR />We all want to see fewer road traffic collisions, fewer serious injuries, and, most importantly, fewer families having to endure the devastating loss of a loved one on our roads. If the GDL can help to improve driver behaviour, increase safety and save lives, they are to be welcomed. On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I welcome them. <BR /> <BR />It has been 10 years since the legislation came in. There has been a variety of reasons for the hiatus between then and now, but I thank the Minister and her officials for getting us to this stage.”
“The Bill modernises governance, removes unnecessary controls, increases operational flexibility, supports future investment and helps to position Northern Ireland ports for the opportunities that lie ahead. For those reasons, Mr Deputy Speaker, my party and I are happy to support the Bill at Second Stage. I look forward to the Minister's response to the debate and to working with the Minister and her departmental colleagues on the Bill.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I absolutely agree. Our ports and airports have recognised that for a long time and are playing their role in doing that. I believe that, as I said earlier, the Bill will remove the shackles that have limited the growth that they have wanted to achieve and open that up. I recognise the fact that businesses across the world want to have key economic assets in places such as Northern Ireland where they can trade easily and make bases. I believe that our ports are willing and waiting to do that and that that will come forward with the legislation. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, the Bill asks whether we are prepared to modernise outdated legislation, trust our ports and create conditions for future investment and growth. I believe that the answer to that should be yes.”
“Regions that invest and modernise now will be best placed to benefit from the opportunities, and I believe that the Bill will provide those opportunities.”
“Foyle port plays a critical role in the north-west's economy, Warrenpoint is a key economic asset for the south-east and Coleraine harbour continues to support important commercial and fishing interests. Collectively, our ports support thousands of jobs and facilitate billions of pounds of economic activity. Their success is not simply a transport issue but an economic and prosperity issue for Northern Ireland as a whole. Through the legislation, I believe that they will see significant growth. <BR /> <BR />The importance of ports is only likely to increase. Offshore renewable energy, which the member from South Down referred to, as well as green technologies, cruise tourism, resilient supply chains and modern logistic infrastructure will place ports in Northern Ireland at the centre of economic development opportunity.”
“Its impact extends far beyond the docks, supporting regeneration, infrastructure and economic development across Northern Ireland. Its recently published 2025-2050 master plan identifies a programme of around £1·3 billion of potential investment over the coming decades. That is a staggering amount and must be praised. That investment will strengthen port infrastructure, support economic growth, improve connectivity, enhance tourism and help Northern Ireland's future prosperity, all of which is to be welcomed. After all, Belfast harbour handles around 70% of Northern Ireland's seaborne trade. Its success benefits the entirety of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Opportunities extend beyond Belfast, however.”
“It is important to put on the record that that is not wanted by any of the ports or by the Minister and the Department. Ownership will not change, assets will not change hands, and trust ports will remain trust ports. What may change is their accounting classification and, with it, their ability to access finance and invest in the future. <BR /> <BR />Perhaps the clearest example of the opportunity before us is at Belfast harbour. Under the leadership of its chief executive and the excellent board and management team, Belfast harbour has become one of the most successful trust ports across these islands, to which the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee referred. The expanse at the port and the intent for the future is incredible to see.”
“At present, Northern Ireland's trust ports are classified by the Office for National Statistics as public non-financial corporations, because government is deemed to exercise a degree of control over them, about which we have heard already. As a result, borrowing by trust ports counts against the Department for Infrastructure's capital budget, which is not an ideal arrangement at any time, never mind in the current financial situation. The purpose of the Bill is to remove those remaining levers of control and facilitate a review of that classification. <BR /> <BR />It is important to be clear that that is not privatisation. Some Members have speculated, although not necessarily in the Chamber today, that it is a back door to privatisation.”
“The Bill will allow harbour authorities, once authorised, to issue directions relating to vessel movements, mooring arrangements, equipment and crewing matters. Incredibly importantly, that power will be accompanied by safeguards, including consultation requirements and transparency measures. That will strike an appropriate balance between operational effectiveness and accountability, which is a point that we discussed previously. <BR /> <BR />Clauses 5 and 6 will further support the overall objective of modernisation by expanding the powers for which harbour orders may be made and providing greater flexibility for future operational arrangements. <BR /> <BR />We must recognise the wider economic significance of the legislation.”
“The Bill sends an important message that demonstrates confidence in the governance arrangements that are already in place and in the boards and management teams that have successfully led the organisations for many years. <BR /> <BR />Clause 3 will provide greater commercial flexibility by removing the requirement for ministerial consent before harbour authorities acquire harbour businesses or shares in such businesses. In a modern commercial environment, organisations need the ability to make timely decisions. The provision will support that objective while remaining consistent with the trust ports model. <BR /> <BR />Clause 4 will introduce a power for harbour authorities to issue harbour directions. Although technical in nature, that practical reform will improve the management, safety and efficiency of our port operations.”
“<BR /> <BR />Much of the discussion on the Bill has focused on the Office for National Statistics classification issue, and understandably so. The legislation is about more than accounting classifications, however. It is also about modernisation, flexibility and giving our ports the tools that they need to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. <BR /> <BR />Clauses 1 and 2 are particularly important. They will remove the Department's powers to initiate privatisation schemes and direct the activities of trust ports. Some may question the significance of removing powers that are rarely exercised, but if we regard the organisations as independent bodies, they should be treated as such. The existence of those powers creates the perception of government control that sits uneasily alongside their independent status.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. The point is well made. It is about balance. It is about removing the shackles that will limit the economic development and growth opportunities that the ports require but also about protecting, as I said, the communities that they purport to serve. That is a delicate balancing act, but it can be done by looking at how others do it successfully elsewhere. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge Larne port in my constituency. The legislation does not apply to Larne, because of its ownership structure, but the port remains a vital part of Northern Ireland's transport and trade infrastructure. I pay tribute to the work that it does and look forward to seeing the exciting opportunities coming forward for economic growth, particularly for East Antrim as well as for Northern Ireland plc.”
“It would be interesting to hear from the Minister where, she thinks, the Bill could go with regard to that and what other measures could be brought in. The Member for South Down made an important and valid point about Dover and the community engagement that takes place there. There may be models of best practice across these islands that we want to tap into in order for the ports to have the freedom to trade while protecting the local economies that they purport to serve.”
“They facilitate trade, support employment, attract investment, enable tourism and connect our economy to the international markets. The purpose of the Bill is clear: to ensure that our ports are better placed to contribute to economic growth and to respond to future opportunities. Our trust ports — Belfast harbour, Foyle port, Coleraine harbour and Warrenpoint harbour — occupy a unique position. They are independent statutory bodies that are not owned by shareholders and not operated for private profit. Their profits are reinvested into infrastructure, operations and the communities that they serve. That model has served Northern Ireland well and is worth preserving, although I take the points that have been made about Warrenpoint and the need to see community engagement and community accountability.”
“As we have heard, it seeks to modernise the legislative framework governing Northern Ireland's trust ports, remove outdated restrictions and support future investment and growth. Although I welcome the Bill, as other Members have done, it is disappointing that it has taken so long to introduce it. We have heard it being talked about for nearly 20 years now. For too long, our ports have operated within a framework that, everyone accepts, requires modernisation. That has limited opportunities for investment and left our ports competing with unnecessary constraints. Thankfully, we are here today, and we look forward to the Bill progressing, with the proper scrutiny, as quickly as possible. <BR /> <BR />Our ports are among Northern Ireland's most important strategic assets.”
“As the Ulster Unionist Party's infrastructure spokesperson, I am happy to support the Second Stage of the Harbours Bill today. I thank the Minister and her departmental colleagues for introducing it; all those who took part in the consultation; and our ports, particularly Belfast harbour, which have been helpful in engaging with us so far. I echo the comments made by the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, the Member for North Down. Obviously I agree with everything that he said on behalf of the Committee. As a Committee, we look forward to scrutinising the Bill. <BR /> <BR />While the Bill contains only six clauses, its potential significance must not be underestimated.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. She will know that high streets in our towns and cities are under massive pressure. Rising rates bills, declining footfall and changing shopping habits are having a huge impact on those retailers. Given the cross-cutting nature of the work that she outlined and those recommendations, will she consider re-establishing the high street task force so that it has full oversight of the matter and can try to make a meaningful, positive impact on our high streets?”
“Minister, you will know that many of our town centres and villages are on their knees. Many of the independent retailers whom I speak to are running to stand still to pay their bills. They also feel that they are paying a premium to be in town centres, even though the footfall simply is not there. Shopping habits are changing. What more can you do, as Finance Minister, to support our independent retailers and alleviate the burden of town centre rates?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. <BR /> <BR />Minister, will you outline what discussions took place on the all-island rail review and the prioritisation strategy? When are we likely to start seeing shovels in the ground on some of the key aspects of that all-island rail review, given its strategic importance?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. That was a point that I raised in my contributions through intervention. I am really keen to tease out the Department and officials' thought processes around that. I would have thought that, in the very rare circumstances where a judicial review is required, with the pressure that is on a victim, you would want to give them as much time and space as possible. It should not stretch into months and months, but I would have thought that 28 days from 14 days would have been a fair approach. I am really interested to hear why the Department and officials think that 28 days is too much.”
“I thank the Deputy Chair for giving way. He has been very generous with his time in that respect. I am not a member of the Committee, but I am interested to hear the Committee's thoughts on amendment Nos 20 and 21. The Department originally proposed 14 days for those rare occasions where a judicial review might be required to be taken on behalf of a victim. Those will be rare, but, in my mind, it is important to give that individual the most amount of time possible. What were the Committee's deliberations on, potentially, going against 14 days and up to 21 days? Can we get a feeling for the amendment from the Member from West Belfast for 28 days, which is possibly where I am siding at this time?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I echo her comments about the strength and tenacity that the victims have shown throughout. I am not a member of the Executive Office Committee, but I pay tribute to all its members, who have done a massive amount of work in scrutinising the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I would like your opinion on amendment No 10. At Second Stage, everyone agreed that no stone should be left unturned when it comes to making sure that every institution involved in such shameful acts is held to account and that any moneys that can be got from such institutions are got in order to support victims. Will you expand on the Committee's work on that and on how impactful that amendment would be?”
“I am sure that other Members have concerns about the extortionate rise in the licensing charges that are coming in. Minister, you will be aware that many of our brave members of the security forces, both current and former, carry personal protection weapons (PPWs). They do so because of a perceived or real threat to their life. Should they be considered for an exemption from licensing charges, given the threats upon them and the requirement to carry PPWs?”
“I declare an interest: my car has been in the garage for six weeks, having hit two potholes — two craters — in my constituency. I look forward to getting it back. <BR /> <BR />Minister, spending £1 million a year on compensation is bad enough, but we know that three quarters of compensation claims are not paid out. That means that our constituents are paying up to £3 million a year themselves, or else their insurance companies are, which means that their insurance premiums are going up. That is simply unacceptable. We already know that our roads are in a terrible state. Will you review the criteria to ensure that the people who are entitled to compensation through no fault of their own get it and are not made to jump through hoops in order to do so?”
“I thank the Minister for that comprehensive answer. Minister, will lessons be learned by officials who are advising parents? Parents who received no offers for their first preference might, because it is the same council area, be offered a place in Ballymena when that family lives in Carrickfergus. Can any offers that are made be truly local and not 45 or 50 minutes away? That is not much for those parents to ask.”
“Minister, data and understanding data is hugely important, particularly in the health service, which sees a huge volume of patients in high-pressure environments. How will Encompass help us better understand pressure and alleviate it?”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. What is the plan for enforcement? We have seen traffic measures installed elsewhere across the country, and they have been welcomed by residents, but those residents invariably get frustrated by the lack of enforcement when people break the rules. Will it be enforced by the police, the councils, the red coats or a combination of some of those? What engagement have you had with them?”
“Aside from the lack of investment in our road infrastructure, one of the biggest impacts on road resilience is the diabolical state that our roads are left in by contractors that are used by utility companies. Time and time again, we see pavements and roads being left in a diabolical state right up and down my constituency. What is your Department doing to ensure the quality and finish of work on our roads and pavements by those contractors?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I do not need to tell him that Belfast lough is in an absolutely disgraceful state, as he has mentioned it many times today. It is having an impact on our sea life , on those who sea-swim and on those who use the sea for other sporting activities, particularly in my East Antrim constituency. You have stated your intention to designate the Belfast lough shellfish water protected area as a sensitive area under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. Will you give a clear time frame for doing that? What additional treatment standards will be required for the waste water discharges that are affecting the east Antrim coastline?”
“I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party group on micro and small business. I thank the Minister for her answer. It is over a decade since the review of public administration (RPA) led to increased devolved responsibilities for economic development. In that time, our councils have spent hundreds of millions of pounds, yet many people are not seeing delivery. There have been lots of strategies, and there has been a lot of discussion, but we are not seeing a lot of delivery. Do you agree that our local enterprise agencies, which are punching well above their weight and could aid the delivery of much more economic output, are ready and waiting for councils to give them the support and financial assistance that they desperately need?”
“<BR /> <BR />As I have said, there are hidden costs to the public. Motorists across Northern Ireland are being forced to claim compensation for vehicle damage that runs into thousands and millions of pounds each year. Insurance premiums are rising accordingly. For anyone who owns a car, we have some of the highest insurance rates anywhere on these islands. That is having a massive impact. <BR /> <BR />We need a fully costed, multi-year road maintenance strategy; a transparent quantification of the maintenance backlog and annual reduction targets; a decisive shift from reactive patching to planned resurfacing with clear, published performance metrics; and a funding model for asset preservation, not short-term expediency. Those are key issues, and the Minister needs to act as quickly as possible.”
“No one disagrees that that is the case, but the reality is this: the Department for Infrastructure has a £1·55 billion budget a year, so there can be costings done and savings found within that. No one disputes that there are pressures, and they have been there for some time. Leadership, however, is demonstrated by structuring and prioritising limited resources and then defending their use. Allowing assets to deteriorate to the point of structural failure does not save money; it defers costs and ultimately multiplies them. <BR /> <BR />Rural communities are particularly exposed. In my constituency of East Antrim, agricultural traffic routes, school transport routes and key economic corridors are suffering. Businesses cannot operate effectively on fractured infrastructure, and there is an impact on emergency response times.”
“We also heard about the draft road maintenance strategy. It has been talked about for some time, yet it contains a total lack of clarity and operational detail. For example, where are the five-year resurfacing targets broken down by road classification? Where are the measurable reductions in repeat defect rates? Where is the transparent assessment of the maintenance backlog and the trajectory for reducing it? Where are the quarterly accountability metrics that will allow the Assembly to scrutinise any progress? The reality is that they are all absent. Instead, we have broad language about resilience and sustainability with which none of us will necessarily disagree, but it comes without a costed action plan to deliver either. <BR /> <BR />We have talked about funding pressures.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. It will come as no shock to him that I absolutely agree. It is a case of being penny wise and pound foolish. The model that we are pursuing at the minute is to find a temporary solution to the problem and move on to the next one. Reactive patching is not a strategy but a short-term fix that accelerates long-term decline. Every temporary repair that fails within months increases the life-cycle costs. Every delayed resurfacing programme compounds the structural destruction of the network. The financial argument for planned preventative maintenance is overwhelming, yet it is not being translated into policy. <BR /> <BR />We heard from the Member who proposed the motion about increased insurance costs and their impacts. Those are real experiences that are affecting people.”
“The Minister continues to defend an approach that intervenes only at the highest-priority level, and, even then, only with the minimum standard of work required to remove the immediate liability. That is not stewardship of a multibillion-pound public asset; it is crisis management. We would not run our health service by treating only emergencies and abandoning preventative care. We would not maintain public buildings by waiting for structural failure before acting. That is what is happening with our roads.”
“Those defects are not statistics on a departmental briefing note: they are wheel-busting, axle-damaging craters, hazards for cyclists navigating uneven roads, and trip hazards for pedestrians, particularly older residents with mobility issues.”
“That is not simply a result of weather events: it is the product of a maintenance model that has been reactive, under-resourced and strategically unfocused for too long. <BR /> <BR />Across Northern Ireland and specifically in my constituency of East Antrim, which I can talk to, the situation is stark. From rural routes connecting villages and farms to arterial routes carrying commuters into Carrickfergus and Larne, the condition of our surface roads is simply unacceptable. Residents are not raising cosmetic concerns: they are reporting damaged suspension, burst tyres, unsafe journeys and roads that seem to have been totally neglected. Aside from the destruction and damage and the risk to public safety, it is a huge burden on the public purse, with millions already spent on compensation every year.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion. It is obviously a critical issue that affects every one of our constituents. Across the country, our roads are in a diabolical state: that is not an exaggeration. Today, we are not debating minor wear and tear, seasonal deterioration or the usual spikes and complaints after bad weather. We are debating the cumulative failure of road asset management across Northern Ireland; a failure of strategy and of prioritisation of long-term planning that has left our road network in a visibly deteriorating state. <BR /> <BR />Recent storm damage, of which there is much, did not create the problem: it merely exposed it. The motion states that over 127,000 surface defects were recorded in a single year, including 98,000 potholes.”