The woman’s MP raised the urgent need for road repairs at Prime Minister’s Questions
Carrington Walker and Annabal Bagdi
18:21, 21 Jan 2026Updated 18:29, 21 Jan 2026
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Beryl(Image: Nickbeer / Getty Images)
A woman has tragically lost her life on Christmas Day after falling into a pothole has been named by her MP. Beryl Barrett passed away on December 25 following her fall into the pothole in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Steve Yemm, Labour MP for the area, has since highlighted the pressing need for road repairs following her death. He raised Beryl’s death during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (January 21). Speaking to Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Yemm declared it was time to ‘take action’, reports Birmingham Live.
“Sadly, on Christmas Day, my constituent, Beryl Barrett, passed away after tragically falling into an unrepaired pothole, and I’m sure the whole house will wish to share my condolences with the family,” he told the house.
Steve Yemm raised his concerns during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday(Image: Telegraph and Argus / SWNS)
“In my constituency of Mansfield, there are literally thousands of potholes in our roads, which [Nottinghamshire] County Council are failing to repair.
“Does the Prime Minister agree with me that it’s time the council took action to repair our roads, and will he meet with Beryl’s family, so that we can work together to ensure that no more accidents like this happen again?”
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Beryl, replying: “Can I send my deepest sympathies to Beryl’s family. I will make sure the roads minister meets the family at the earliest opportunity.
“It shows why tackling potholes really matters. We’re investing £2 billion in East Midlands to fix the roads and improve local transport.
“We’re also putting in place tough new standards so that councils must prove they’re fixing roads properly.”