£1.6m not enough to fix potholes in North Yorkshire, councillor warns

The £1.6m allocated to repair the potholes across North Yorkshire is not enough to truly tackle the problem, a county councillor has warned.
Potholes in North YorkshirePotholes in North Yorkshire
Potholes in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) were today (April 7) awarded £1,637,000 by the Department for Transport for potholes across the county's 9,000km road network.

The allocation makes up part of the £50m pledged by ministers to councils, including a £5.2m grant for 14 councils in Yorkshire and the Humber.

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While the county council's executive member for Highways, Coun Don Mackenzie, has welcomed the funding, he said it was still 'relatively small' to fully tackle the region's potholes.

He said: "It's a relatively small contribution to our programme. We do welcome it but it's a very small amount compared to the amount of money we actually need.

"I wrote in my column in the Harrogate Advertiser last week that we are spending £50m on highway repairs over the next four years.

"If you consider that we will be spending this amount of money over the next four years then it puts the money that we have been given into perspective.

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"We understand that the public see potholes as their number one priority and this is why we are trialling new innovations like the Velocity Jet Patcher to tackle them."

The £5.2m allocated to Yorkshire and Humber is the third lowest amount handed out by ministers, only more than the North West and the North East.

There are around 98,000 potholes across Yorkshire and the Humber and Coun Mackenzie said the money reflects the 'extensive nature' the county's road network.

He said: "Spending on the repair of our roads is one of the most important investments we can make for the economic wellbeing of North Yorkshire and the benefit of everyone who lives and works in the county.

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"All funding is welcome and will form part of our continuing investment in maintaining and improving the condition of our road network.”

Coun Mackenzie revealed that Greenfields Road, Rossett Way, Woodlands Road, Prospect Road and Back Princes Square have been identified for improvements in Harrogate this year.

Yew Tree Lane and Castle Hill Glade, Close, Drive and Grove will all undergo a surface dressing programme as well as various locations in Knaresborough and Ripon.