LONG suffering Aireborough residents are claiming enough is enough over the state of their roads, writes Barrie Pennett

And they are calling on Leeds City Council to make urgent and major repairs before there is a serious accident. Particularly bad sections of road include parts of Carlton Lane, Carlton, Harrogate Road close to Leeds Bradford Airport, Netherfield Road, Guiseley, Hall Lane, Horsforth, and Fieldhead Road, Guiseley.

Michael Dewes, of Fieldhead Road, Guiseley, said he had little faith in the repairs carried out in Fieldhead Road by the council. He said: "There were numerous potholes, some of them quite large and deep but now they have been filled in.

"I don't think the repair work will last very long because it is already breaking up. The council usually visit the road about twice a year to fill in the potholes but what is needed is for the road to be resurfaced."

Last year, Mr Dewes' 13-year old son had to have his leg stitched after falling off his bike which had got caught up in a pothole.

Michael Hill, also of Fieldhead Road, said the repairs were atrocious. "Workmen just come along, fill the holes with Tarmac and then smack it down with a spade," he said.

Noel Prince, owner of The Great Outdoors, Yeadon, said the roads were badly maintained and were in a shocking state.

"The roads are dangerous because you have to swerve to avoid the potholes," he said.

Councillor Chris Townsley (Lib Dem, Horsforth) said Aireborough and Horsforth had more than its fair share of poorly maintained roads.

"I feel something should be done to repair our roads before there is a serious accident," he said.

And Coun Townsley added one of the worst was Clarence Road running into Newlaithes Gardens in Horsforth. "There are so many ruts and bumps that it is like taking part in the Grand National. I don't think there is a worse road in Leeds than this one and driving down it certainly tests your suspension," he said.

A Leeds City Council spokesman said the condition of roads in the whole of the Leeds area was on a par with national standards although some were worse than others.

He said: "The highways department currently spends around £15 million each year on routine highways maintenance throughout Leeds and the way this money is spent is prioritised according to strict assessment. Roads in Aireborough and Horsforth area are treated in exactly the same way as any other part of the city."

He added that the council was aware of problems with Fieldhead Road.

"We are aware that the carriageway is badly pot holed and has required a number of repeat repairs. We plan to carry out more substantial and, hopefully, more permanent maintenance work towards the end of the year."

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