Huddersfield drivers' fury as 'obscene' pothole 'reappears after repairs'

Huddersfield drivers say they have been left out of pocket after hitting a deep pothole on a rural road near Kirkheaton.

Several drivers reported hitting the pothole in Upper Heaton Lane on Monday, November 25. One driver, Jacob Smith, said the pothole, which he managed to avoid, was in the same location as a deep hole he hit around 12 months ago, causing damage to two tires. The well-used 'B' road has a reputation for being a hotspot for bad potholes and claims of poor maintenance.

Jacob said: "We haven't damaged our wheels or tyres on this occasion, but the exact same pothole damaged two of our tyres between Christmas and New Year just gone."

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Last year he took photos of the pothole and put a tape measure in the water-filled hole to show how deep it was. He believes the same pothole has been repaired on several occasions only to return and catch out more unwary drivers.

Jacob said: "I think that it's obscene the amount we pay in taxes and this is the state of our roads, and then Kirklees accept no responsibility or liability."

He drove past the same location on Tuesday, November 26 and noticed that the pothole had been 'filled in' with what he described as a 'patch'. He expects the repair to work loose as soon as the temperature drops.

Jacob said a similar incident happened to his car in Emley, near Huddersfield, with another deep pothole. Again, two tyres were damaged. He was left around £1,000 out of pocket due to both incidents and was unsuccessful in claiming compensation from Kirklees. He says he received "the same blanket response" from the local authority.

Drivers took to social media this week to vent their anger at the state of the pothole on Upper Heaton Lane. One woman claimed that five cars had hit the same pothole earlier this week. She said an alloy wheel and a tyre on her own car had been damaged. She said the pothole was around 8ins deep.

In response, Kirklees Council said a programme of works including resurfacing is scheduled to take place next year on the B6118 including Bog Green Lane and Upper Heaton Lane.

Councillor Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways at Kirklees Council said: "Kirklees Council have continued to conduct monthly safety inspections along Upper Heaton Lane in Kirkheaton, the most recent taking place on 23 October 2024. At this point there was no evidence of a pothole at this location, and it has formed since that date due to the recent inclement weather.

"When water seeps into tiny cracks on roads and freezes, it expands the surface, increasing the size of the cracks. When the water thaws, it penetrates underneath, and this cycle continues over time, breaking down the surface of the road forming a pothole.

"Following a report on Monday 25 November from a member of the public of the pothole on Upper Heaton Lane, a repair has been scheduled and will be undertaken imminently.

"If a driver believes damage has been caused to their vehicle by a pothole, they can make a claim online.

"A programme of works including resurfacing is scheduled to take place next year on the B6118 including Bog Green Lane and Upper Heaton Lane in the next financial year following on from major works scheduled by Yorkshire Water."

The Kirklees link to claim online can be found here.

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