RESIDENTS in North Yorkshire with complaints about potholes and other road-related issues may be given the opportunity to raise their concerns face to face with council highways staff.

It’s a recommendation due to be discussed at a meeting today of North Yorkshire County Council’s area committee for Harrogate & Knaresborough, which comprises the 13 county councillors representing wards within the Harrogate and Knaresborough parliamentary constituency.

“The committee will be considering how it can use its time most effectively,” said NYCC’s democratic services & scrutiny manager, Daniel Harry.

“In the past, questions to the area committee from members of the public have sometimes led to lengthy discussions on very, very local highways issues relating to a very minor road in a village or town when perhaps the matter could have been dealt with far more quickly and efficiently if the resident had phoned a highways officer directly.”

“It’s entirely up to the committee but it could decide to invite a highways officer to be available before or after each future meeting of the area committee. This would provide residents with the opportunity to drop in and raise their concerns directly with highways staff.”

Residents could also still use NYCC’s website. Mr Harry said there was no intention of dissuading or prohibiting residents from raising road-related issues with the committee.