A FRUSTRATED cyclist claims Ledbury roads are in such a poor condition it is like "cycling on the moon."
Concerns have been raised that the number of potholes has left roads "unsafe" to use. At recent local election candidates all raised the state of the roads as a key issue.
Edd Hogan said: "Riding a bike has become increasingly dangerous and the road surfaces are dangerous for cyclists.
"The A438 is horrific, it is worse than cobbles.
"It is like riding on the moon.
"The roads have now deteriorated to the point where it's become unsafe."
Mr Hogan said people are frustrated at the number of potholes in the area and how frequently they need to be fixed.
Mr Hogan said: "It's like a patchwork quilt of road repairs, why do they keep having to fix them?
"The council should be held accountable. These roads are the worst I have ever seen."
Herefordshire Council has a map of potholes and road problems, which highlights which roads are reported as having the worst potholes. Some roads have received dozens of reports of problems.
39 reports: New Street – between Holy Trinity Church and The Talbot Hotel
25 reports: Bromyard Road – between Sequani and Bevisol
25 reports: Biddulph Way – between Ferndown Road and Jubilee Close
23 reports: Lawnside Road – entire road
12 reports: Bromyard Road – around Ledbury allotments
11 reports: Lower Road Trading Estate – around Leaden Vale vets
11 reports: Martin’s Way – entire road
10 reports: Belle Orchard & Belle Orchard Close – entire road
9 reports: Barnett Avenue – between Lower Road junction and Queen’s Way
8 reports: Cut Throat Lane – from Upperfields towards Bradlow
Mr Hogan said: "All the candidates in the recent council elections covering the three Ledbury wards made bold commitments to improve local roads, which are deteriorating at pace with little or no remedial action being taken to fix problems."
One councillor, Liz Harvey, who represents Ledbury North and leads the Independents in Herefordshire, said: "Government withdrawing funds from councils is the cause of the pothole problem.
"Our roads are indeed crumbling, and they have been since 2010. It’s currently estimated Herefordshire needs at least £360m to bring our roads up to just an acceptable standard of repair.
"It would be impossible and unfair to try to raise the funds purely through council tax to cover this level of investment.
"Until local government funding is reformed this situation will continue – irrespective of who is in charge of the council."
Herefordshire County Council has been contacted for comment but was unable to provide a comment before we went to press.
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