Liberal Democrats launch potholes plea

York’s Liberal Democrats this week are launching a plea to the City of York Council to take urgent action to tackle York’s pothole crisis. This comes after Labour’s Council bosses rejected an amendment from the Liberal Democrat group to invest £1 million into the Highways budget on ward priorities.

Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Leader of the York Liberal Democrat group Councillor Nigel Ayre said:

“This system is clearly broken and the council administration care little for improving our road surfaces.

“The highways budget has been cut, our ward specific highways budget is gone, and Labour voted against our £1m injection into highways choosing to hide the money in reserves.

“On several roads, holes have been reported multiple times with each time council inspectors claiming no action is required.  One such location has resulted in a head injury for a cyclist.”

Councillor Andrew Hollyer, Haxby and Wigginton ward said:

“Roads across York are in a terrible state, as the Labour-run Council’s highway maintenance cuts are beginning to take their toll.

“In March alone, Haxby and Wigginton’s Lib Dem Councillors reported over 150 potholes, along with broken street signs, faded white lines and other local issues.

“In 2023, as their first act upon taking control of the Council, the new Labour administration cut £50,000 worth of highways schemes in Haxby and Wigginton.

“This stopped plans to deal with some of our worst condition roads and pavements such as on Ascot Road or Oaken Grove.”

Councillor Andrew Waller, Westfield ward said:

“A number of roads in Westfield ward are in dire need of repair, such as Foxwood Lane. The previous Lib Dem-run council resurfaced the section between Gale Lane and Huntsmans Walk and this now needs to continue up to the junction with Askham Lane.

“Residents have backed my petition on this issue, which was submitted at a council meeting on 21 March, along with a petition calling for Corlett Court to be resurfaced.”

Councillor Carol Runciman, Huntington and New Earswick ward said:

“We spent a morning with the Council’s Highway officers starting at the Geldof Road end of New Lane going north to Strensall Road and then New Earswick. New Lane, Huntington Road and Haxby Road are the main roads that have serious issues.

“We also showed them the streets that are in the poorest condition – Highthorn Road, Yearsley, Skewsby and Whenby Groves, Priory Wood Way, Linden Close, Riverside Crescent. We have reported these streets and many other potholes across our area.

“We call on the Labour administration to reverse course and take urgent action to fix York’s pothole crisis.”