Roger Hayes gives the post-snow warning in his blog

Bolton will have to deal with potholes and broken road surfaces after the snow and ice has gone, a leading Liberal Democrat has warned.

Councillor Roger Hayes, Leader of the Bolton Liberal Democrat group on Bolton Council, said: “Eventually this cold weather will end, but then other problems will start. First, there will be a danger of flooding if the thaw is rapid.”

“We will then have to see what damage the ice and salt has done to Bolton’s roads and pavements. Remember how many potholes appeared last year after a relatively mild winter?”

“The problem this year is likely to be far, far worse. In that situation it seems foolhardy for Bolton Council to be considering slashing its road budget for 2010/11; one option under consideration is to cut the Highways Urgent Repairs Budget (which is used for pothole repairs) by £150,000 and other Highways budgets by over £325,000. We shall try very hard to get that changed – we have had some success in previous years.”

Deputy group leader, Councillor David Wilkinson, also added: “Once the cold snap is over, the next problem will be the condition of the roads which took a real pasting from last winter and given that there is a backlog of around £50 million on roads and footpaths work across Bolton, things don’t look good.”

Bolton has seen some of the worse wintery conditions for a number of years and the council has been working hard to ensure the main roads are gritted.

You can view Roger’s blog here, and David’s blog here.

The Council has repaired a number of large potholes on James Street and Ashton Street.

It follows calls earlier in the year from Liberal Democrat campaigner Eric Hyde for action, after residents had complained to him about the poor condition of the two roads.

Eric said: “This is fantastic news for residents of James Street and Ashton Street.”

Donal O’Hanlon, our Parliamentary Candidate for the area, added: “The road was in a terrible condition previously. I am pleased Bolton’s Labour-run Council has finally listened to the concerns of the Lib Dem team.”

The steps run from Radcliffe Road up to Top Oth’ Gorses and Gorses Mount and last year, residents were plagued with slippery steps covered in autumnal leaves.

The problem has arisen again this year and Bolton’s Labour-run Council is being blamed for not acting quick enough.

Residents was to see the steps cleared more quickly. Liberal Democrat campaigner Eric Hyde has supported their demands. He said: “These steps could be lethal if they are not cleared regularly.”

Donal O’Hanlon, Parliamentary Candidate, added: “We have asked the council to gets it finger out before an accident happens.”