The results are in as readers have selected the roads they think are the worst in Huddersfield.
Readers were asked to nominate the road they thought was the town’s worst and why, whether it’s riddled with potholes, an accident hotspot, or somewhere they sit at a standstill on your daily commute.
The sorry state of Kirklees’ road network was brought to light in a council report back in June where it was described as being in a state of “managed deterioration” and in need of £267m worth of investment against the council’s £13m budget.
The council shelled out £1.65m on repairs to 33,908 potholes across the borough in the last financial year. Back in 2022, Kirklees was recognised as one of the worst places in the UK for potholes, according to research by the Bill Plant Driving School.
While readers chose a variety of roads from across the town, below are the five that received the highest number of votes.
Gilead Road, Longwood
Taking the top spot with just over 16 percent of the vote was Gilead Road in Longwood, with readers having selected it due to potholes and erosion, with some fearing it is an accident waiting to happen.
Residents had previously branded the road, which runs past the Dusty Miller Pub, ‘one of the most dangerous’ in Kirklees.
One reader commented: “Several years ago the road was closed, the old surface removed, and a completely new surface laid on both sides of the road. The new surface started to break up almost immediately and has continued to fail ever since.
“We now have patches, on patches, on patches, none of them done by cutting back the existing surface. The way in which this new surface has failed suggests that it was never bonded to the base layer.”
Another said: “Continuous array of potholes. Patch repairs on top of patch repairs. Road is littered with pieces of suspension and steering parts from cars going up and down it.”
Bradley Mills Road, Dalton
This road was nominated by almost 11 percent of readers who filled out the poll, with potholes and the absence of fencing named as some of the reasons why.
One reader explained: “Due to the width and deep drop, if you get it wrong. Nothing to stop you rolling down the deep banking no safety barriers.”
Another commented: “Potholes everywhere. Small road with no fencing on the side near the bushes/hedges. Extremely bumpy and unsafe overall.”
Fortunately, the problematic road which causes “safety issues” for drivers and pedestrians is the focus of a £5m scheme that is awaiting council approval.
The project which would take around six months to complete would see the road and footways widened and a new kerb line and pedestrian barrier installed on the north side of the highway, towards the historic Dalton Grange, between Kilner Bank and Brown Royd Avenue.
Market Street, Milnsbridge
Taking around four percent of the vote is Market Street in Milnsbridge.
One reader commented: “Driving on a cobbled street would be smoother. Does act as one extra-long set of speed bumps though.”
Another listed potholes, a lack of road markings and loose gravel as some of the problems with the road.
Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Moor
Taking around two and a half percent of the vote is Blackmoorfoot Road.
One reader said: “It’s a busy single carriageway hill (not safe for overtaking) whose road surface is badly and unevenly worn at axle width. Road also narrows to one lane because of car sales areas below caravan retail premises.”
Another added: “Too many cars and vans parked either side of this road which cause delays repeatedly throughout every day.”
Nursery Lodge Court, Dalton
Set back from Long Lane and off Tolson Crescent, Nursery Lodge Court is said to be worse for wear due to heavy use from deliveries and shoppers visiting the local Tesco. This road also took just over two and a half percent of the vote.
One reader commented: “The road is in a bad state. This is the cul de sac which most people use to turn around when they visit Tesco Express, also the delivery lorries use the use daily to turn around in.”
