EVERY main road leading into Ledbury is badly potholed, putting off tourists and posing a threat to drivers, according to residents.

Herefordshire Council is battling a backlog of repairs caused by the recent bad weather and Ledbury Rotarian Jan Long was among those who complained about the state of the roads.

She said: “It is not a good advertisement. It makes those roads look shabby and poor, on any road you approach on.

An area on Top Cross, which the council said has particular problems, was among the worst affected, Mrs Long added.

“The potholes are absolutely horrendous and in fact, very dangerous,” she said.

“When it floods, water covers them and drivers can’t know the depth of the potholes.

I know of one man who had a wheel rim cracked.”

Ledbury Primary School’s headteacher, Julie Rees, also reported a wheel on her car had been cracked on a local pothole, and it cost her almost £300 to put the damage right.

Mrs Long pointed out that motorists often have to cross over to the opposite carriageway, to avoid the potholes, raising the risk of accidents.

One of Ledbury’s county councillors, Peter Watts, has called for a review of Ledbury’s roads, “to examine the potholes and get them done”.

He said the problem was even evident in the middle of town.

“The ones done at Top Cross are appearing again. We need someone to come along and do them properly,” he said.

Coun Watts recognised the bad winter weather had been a factor in the appearance of “so many potholes”.

But he added: “A lot of residents are getting worked up about this, and I can understand it.”

A spokesman for Herefordshire Council said: “We and our partners Amey currently have a lot of resources out on the county roads trying to bring them up to a good condition.

"However due to challenging weather conditions this year there is a backlog which is currently being addressed.

“With reference to the location at Top Cross in Ledbury, there is a specific issue with underground cables that needs to be addressed.

“In the interim, the area has undergone temporary repairs until a proper pavement scheme can be put in place.”