A councillor has hit out at the “dangerous” state of roads in Hellifield.

District councillor Chris Moorby said the A65 and Gisburn Road had become so rough that they were hazardous.

He said the two roads were resurfaced a few years ago, but were now in an “atrocious” condition.

“I feel the situation is not just an inconvenience, but has got to the stage of being dangerous,” said Coun Moorby. “I know times are hard at North Yorkshire County Council, but these roads are absolutely atrocious. The road at Hellifield was patched a couple of weeks ago, but this work has done no good whatsoever.”

Coun Moorby, who works as haulage contractor, added: “I came through Hellifield in my wagon after the patching had been completed and I found the road surface so rough I thought that a spring would be broken. When a replacement spring costs in the region of £500, it gives me concern.”

He is now calling for the roads to be completely resurfaced.

“I know North Yorkshire County Council has not got a great deal of funds to play with but something should be done,” he said :“How much money are they pumping into the Tour de France while these roads are getting ignored?”

Coun Moorby also questioned why it was taking so long to complete roadworks at Mearbeck – between Long Preston and Cleatop roundabout at Settle.

He said the lack of work being done and the one-way traffic lights were causing congestion and forcing people to seek alternative routes through Wigglesworth and Rathmell.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “The condition of the North Yorkshire’s highways is a major priority for the county council and it has allocated an extra £5 million towards the repairs even though it is facing severe financial cuts across the board.

“North Yorkshire is the biggest local authority in England by area and has the third largest road network. The annual allocation of £28 million still falls far short of the estimated annual expenditure required to address priority problems. The maintenance backlog for the entire network is approximately £322 million.

“Even if the backlog was removed, the council estimates that it would still require some £60 million a year simply to maintain the highways in good condition.”