COUNCIL workers expect to deal with hundreds of potholes in the aftermath of the ice and snow.

And they have urged members of the public to report them so that work teams can carry out repairs.

The pledge came after days of ice and snow over Christmas and the New Year left many Huddersfield roads littered with cracks and holes.

Two large potholes appeared in one road just months after it was resurfaced.

Kirklees Council relaid Gilroyd Lane in Linthwaite in September.

But two big potholes have appeared near Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

A council spokesman said yesterday: “We have been out to investigate the complaint and repairs are being carried out as a priority.”

The AA says harsh weather has already brought out a bumper crop of potholes which could lead to a big increase in insurance claims.

The Automobile Association claims that many roads are on borrowed time with a combination of potholes and heavy rain producing the ‘worst imaginable driving conditions’.

The holes develop after water seeps beneath the road surface, freezes and loosens the asphalt.

Passing traffic, a thaw and rain does the rest. Worn roads, old repairs and areas around ironwork are the most likely places for potholes to develop.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance said: “We expect the pothole problem to be significantly worse this year because of three successive bad winters and the growing backlog of road renewal.”

He adds: “It’s really important that drivers keep a sharp eye out for potholes and keep their speed down, particularly on secondary roads, remembering that in wet weather deep potholes may be obscured by water.”

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “There have been many reports of potholes following the recent extreme weather conditions and the council is grateful for this.

“Once reported, potholes are given priority if they meet certain criteria which include their location in the road – where a vehicle wheel is likely to hit it – or if they are particularly deep.

“Those classed as priority are treated as an emergency repair and the council aims to deal with these within 24 hours of being reported. Delays can occur if traffic management is needed to allow the repair to take place.

“Other potholes are usually dealt with within eight weeks of being reported but are sometimes repaired as part of scheduled road improvements due to take place in the area.”

To report a pothole in Kirklees, visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/roads or for very urgent matters, call 0800 731 8765

IT has been dubbed one of Huddersfield’s worst roads.

But repairs, which began in September on Longwood Road, are far from complete.

The road between Longwood and Paddock was called the worst in Huddersfield last June by disgruntled motorist Kevin Burns, 68.

He said he had counted three dozen potholes in a 100-yard stretch.

Work, which began in September, was due to be completed last week.

But the road is still riddled with potholes.

Kirklees Highways said work on Longwood Road would recommence tomorrow and be finished within three weeks.

A spokesperson said: “Work to improve the kerbs and pavements on Longwood Road began at the end of September and continued until mid- November when road surfacing was due to start.

“However, the arrival of the severe weather at this point caused unavoidable delays and the work could not be restarted until now.

“The road surfacing will now recommence on January 18 and will take about three weeks to complete and residents will see significant improvements over the coming weeks.”