MP criticises council over ongoing pothole issue

Gen Kitchen, the MP for Wellingborough and Rushden, said the state of the A6 road was "unacceptable"

An MP has taken to social media to criticise a council over its handling of a particular pothole on a main road.

Gen Kitchen, Labour MP for Wellingborough and Rushden, said she had received multiple complaints from constituents about a recurring pothole on the A6 between Irthlingborough and Rushden in Northamptonshire.

In a post on social media, Ms Kitchen said: "My office have contacted the council about [the pothole] and been told it will be repaired in February.

"We will write to them again today as this is unacceptable on such an integral part of our highways infrastructure."

The A6 stretches between Irthlingborough and Rushden

Last year, Ms Kitchen wrote an open letter to the same council, asking it to do more to fix potholes.

The MP asked the leader of the local authority, Conservative Jason Smithers, whether its arrangement with contractor Kier would be extended.

At the time, Mr Smithers said: "I made it very clear that we weren't happy about [Kier's] level of performance and they've stepped up.

"They've increased their activity, they've ensured that our highways are managed well, they've insured they are repairing things to the best of their ability."

The BBC contacted North Northamptonshire Council for a response.