Bradford’s Tories have given a cautious welcome to news that extra cash is being spent on repairing the district’s potholes.

But they have urged the authority’s highways department to make sure repairs are done properly.

Earlier this week, the authority’s Labour leadership announced it would be spending an extra £250,000 on pothole repairs, after spending less than expected on gritting due to the mild winter.

This is on top of a £575,000 emergency payment announced by the Government late last month to help with road repairs following the wettest winter on record.

Councillor Glen Miller (Worth Valley), leader of the Conservative Group, said: “I welcome the news that extra cash is being allocated by the Council towards repairing potholes from money saved on winter gritting.

“Added to the additional funding allocated by central Government, this should mean a vast improvement to roads in the district and hopefully the ward I represent. Unfortunately, given the current standard of repairs, I may be proved wrong. Roads involved in the Tour de France are being given priority over others, but rather than smooth surfaces appearing, I now see what looks more like mini-speed bumps popping up around the area.

“Surfaces that have been previously patched are being re-patched making the surfaces even worse. Making temporary repairs by sticking tarmac in holes is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”