Motorists are facing bills running into thousands of pounds for damage to their vehicles caused by potholes in the district’s roads.

Shahid Iqbal, manager of Girlington taxis, said his drivers had complained about the state of roads, weakened by potholes caused by the freeze-and-thaw cycle of the worst winter in 30 years.

“Already, insurance prices are very high, fuel prices are very high and now drivers are having to pay a lot of money to repair their cars from pothole damage,” said Mr Iqbal.

“Some of the drivers could not afford to come out in the snow and when they have come out when the snow has gone, they have had to put up with potholes.

“Cars are going through them and causing damage to their tyres and suspension.”

He said the worst potholes his drivers had encountered were in Toller Lane, Heaton, but added: “They are all over Bradford, it is terrible. I would like Bradford Council to get them fixed.”

George Popowycz, of Oakworth School of Motoring, said bills for pothole damage added to the ‘double whammy’ of soaring fuel prices and VAT increases hitting motorists.

“Driving instructors get a lot of wear and tear on vehicles and potholes make it worse,” he said. Cyclist Julie Cartwright, of Idle, said: “You can’t always see potholes coming up, especially if it’s dark. If there are cars nearby you can’t always swerve to avoid the holes. I nearly went into one the other night cycling home from work. I could have been looking at a nasty injury and a broken bike.”

Acting highways manager Chris Leach said future repairs and maintenance would depend on funds available.

He said: “If we have more snow and ice the combination of freeze and thaw will have a more detrimental effect on the road network. Our job is to keep that to a minimum within the resources we have.”

  • See the full story in the T&A