NEARLY one in five minor roads across York was in a bad condition last year, according to new figures.

The Department for Transport said 18 per cent of the city’s B, C and unclassified roads were in need of repairs between 2016 and 2017 - meaning York had the highest proportion of poorly maintained minor roads in the country. The year before just five per cent of these roads were rated as being in bad condition.

And the figures suggest the district’s main roads are not much better. York is one of only 13 areas where the number of A roads in need of repair increased between 2009 and 2017.

But City of York Council said the increase is down to “pioneering new technology” which is better at detecting potholes.

Councillor Peter Dew, executive member for transport, said: “We understand the condition of our roads, and - like all local authorities - have to prioritise limited resources based on the condition of the road and the number of people who use it.

“The statistics suggest that our roads suddenly got much worse last year, but that isn’t the case.

“This is purely down to the introduction of a pioneering new technology, which gives us a much better and more accurate assessment of our road network.

“The more detailed picture allows us to better prioritise our limited resources.

“We will soon publish this year’s repair programme, so York residents can see the repairs we plan and carry out.”

In January 2017 an innovative new ‘pothole spotter trial’ aimed at monitoring road conditions was launched in York, which included fitting high-definition cameras on a bus, a van, a dustbin lorry and a bike. The scheme was also launched in Thurrock and Wiltshire but neither of these councils saw a significant increase in poor road conditions.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said many of the country’s roads already in a poor condition will deteriorate further after the recent bad weather.

An RAC spokesman added: “Motorists in York will feel they are getting the rough end of the deal with some of the worst standards of roads in the country.

"They will be seeking reassurance that the authorities are given sufficient funds to make a difference and to address the decrepit state of the roads locally. Potholes and poor road surfaces present the greatest danger to road users on two wheels.

"Cyclists and motorcyclist are victims of some horrific accidents arising from potholes – the dangers are made even worse when potholes are hidden by snow, ice or standing water.

"Cyclists also often have to swerve to avoid them and this can lead them inadvertently into the path of other vehicles and further danger.”

* If potholes near you are causing you problems, send us a photo of them with details of the location and your contact details and we will highlight the issue. Email: newsdesk@thepress.co.uk