A COUNCILLOR has raised the crumbling state of newly-laid roads with a Government minister.

Mirfield Tory Martyn Bolt, a former Kirklees Council highways chairman, spoke to cycling minister Norman Baker at a conference.

Clr Bolt said he was increasingly concerned at how some newly rebuilt roads failed, forcing urgent repairs.

Clr Bolt highlighted parts of Leeds Road, Huddersfield, Sunnybank Road, Mirfield and Union Road, Heckmondwike, as examples.

“Far too often newly-laid roads are failing and we need to know why,” said Clr Bolt.

“Quite often roads are subsiding and you can’t blame the utility companies because none of them have touched these roads.

“We need to know what the cause is. Is it the initial specification, the quality of the tarmac or what?

“If roads collapse and become riddled with cracks and potholes they are dangerous for vulnerable users like cyclists and motorcyclists.”

Clr Bolt said that with public money tight, council tax-payers should expect value for money from road schemes.

He added: “We need proper monitoring. The public needs to know we are not spoiling the road for a ha’porth of tar.”

Clr Bolt also spoke to Mr Baker about cycling issues when they met at the Northern Rail Cycling Forum in Manchester.