A visiting National Member of Parliament has pledged to remedy the number of potholes in the country’s roads, if his party is successful come next year’s elections.
Chris Bishop, who is a list MP based in Hutt South and is National’s spokesperson for housing and infrastructure, visited two Thames businesses during his trip to the town on November 2.
After checking out the new Kōpū Marine Development and Cirtex’s new site off State Highway 25, he held a public meeting alongside Coromandel MP Scott Simpson, where he told attendees New Zealand had to go “back to basics”.
He alleged that Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency had seen a doubling of staff in its communications department.
“We can’t fix any potholes all around the country, but don’t worry, we can take photos of them and do lots of great PR and spin,” he said.
“I want to assure you that the next government, when it comes to infrastructure, we’ll be focusing on getting the basics right, and there is no more important thing for our roading network than making sure it is safe and efficient and reliable – and that means no potholes, or as few as possible.”
He also criticised the amount of one-lane bridges in what was a “21st century economy” and the continuing lowering of speed limits nation-wide.
National List MP for Hutt South, Chris Bishop, was in Thames last week. Photo: KELLEY TANTAU
Bishop promises ‘no potholes’
