It's official: These are York's worst roads - but many won't be repaired

Last month, The Press revealed where £4 million will be spent by City of York Council on repairing and improving roads and footpaths, under the Annual Highway Maintenance Report.

Roads are rated from one to five for condition, with one being the best score and five the worst.

But information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows that 33 roads or stretchds of road were classed as in the worst condition (rating 5).

But only three of those - Ramsey Avenue in Bishopthorpe, Runswick Avenue in Acomb and Gerard Avenue in Heworth - are among the 63 roads to be improved this year.

> Click through the pictures above to see which roads were rated worst

Councillor Tony Richardson represents Haxby and Wigginton, where several roads all meet the worst rating, including Kennedy Drive at South Lane, Churchfield Drive and Longcroft, and he said many of the roads were "as bad as each other".

He said: "We've had major concerns with the previous administration about the fact that we were left with patches. We've been complaining and been told it's not the worst in the city.

Cllr Tony Richardson in Minster View in Wigginton, which he says is one of the roads in the worst condition in his neighbourhood

"I don't think we get the same treatment as York central and the city centre, we don't find any roads like we have in the middle of York and it annoys us as we have to pay the rates just like anyone else does.

"I'm really annoyed we're still fighting to get them done but still waiting for dates to be set. We're just getting to the point where it's ridiculous."

Councillor Stuart Barnes represents Acomb, where roads including Staithes Close and Runswick Avenue are classed as among the worst-maintained in the city, and the matter had been raised with him a number of times.

He said: "I've spoken to a motor mechanic who rides a motorbike and he said some of the potholes and defects in the roads make Acomb more dangerous and though he manages because he's an experienced rider, but he fears for inexperienced riders if they hit them, and what the consequences might be. He sees cars coming in with problems with their suspension and other issues which he says is due to state of the roads."

Councillor Ian Gillies is executive member for transport, and said he shared the frustrations of residents with regards some roads in the city, but the prioritisation of roads was done in accordance to national guidelines.

He said roads classed as 4 and 5 ratings were prioritised by their road type (A-road, B-road, etc), whether they are on a bus route, how well-used they are, and the accident history, among other things.

Cllr Gillies said: "I have frustrations in my own ward, particularly with Ebor Way, but don't get any priority treatment as we have to follow the approved way of doing it. Some of my residents say 'you're head of transport, why can't you get something done', but it doesn't work that way.

"It's a national template and all down to money. Just this week I've had people wanting to keep buses, who want roads doing, want to keep swimming pools open and look after old people, and we get money from the government and public but we just don't have the money to go round.

"The pressure on council funding is such that we can't do everything we want to do yet, and we have to prioritise."

• Do you know of a worse road than those listed? email details and/or pictures to newsdesk@thepress.co.uk