Birmingham Council coalition defends pace of repairs

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 02:15 · Archive

Birmingham's new coalition council leadership says it needs time to address the city's long-neglected infrastructure, including widespread potholes.

Birmingham Council's new coalition leadership, which took control from Labour following this year's local elections, faces pressure to tackle the city's infrastructure problems. The coalition comprises the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and various independents.

Potholes have been a long-running concern for motorists across Birmingham. At Tuesday's full council meeting, Cllr Raihaan Abbas questioned the progress being made by the new leadership, saying he had sent five emails to the cabinet member in three months without response.

Deputy leader Cllr Julien Pritchard defended the council's position, arguing that the new leadership needed more time to address the damage from previous years. 'You can't fix 14 years of mistakes and underinvestment in just four months,' he said. The council is also dealing with other challenges including the fallout from a financial crisis and an ongoing bins strike.

How it is being reported

• 'Please fix our city': Heated row over progress on potholes at West Midlands councilCouncil leaders say they need more time to “fix 14 years of mistakes”Express & Star · 5 Nov, 02:00
• Coalition running Birmingham says work to 'fix' city under way amid pothole angerBirmingham Council's new deputy leader said 'you can't fix 14 years of mistakes and underinvestment in just four months'BirminghamLive · 4 Nov, 14:52

In this story: Birmingham Council · Cllr Julien Pritchard · Cllr Raihaan Abbas · Liberal Democrats · Green Party · Labour · Birmingham

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