POTHOLES are ruining roads in Elton and Ellesmere Port after the freezing and thawing of the winter weather caused chaos on the area’s road surfaces.

Snow fall and icy conditions created a cycle of freezing and thawing water, widening cracks in the ageing roads and creating five new potholes in just a week.

Elton parish councillor John Ireland said: “It’s very poor. Where they have patched the roads up in the past they haven’t done it properly and the surface just breaks away with all the vehicles churning it up.

“I’m not happy with the services we are receiving from the Highways Agency.”

Residents reported new potholes at the junction of School Lane and Ince Lane on Thursday, ‘numerous potholes’ on both sides of the cross roads on Parkland Drive and more on Old Hall Lane at the junction of Ince Lane on Friday.

As any tarmac ages it becomes more porous as rainwater enters cracks caused by constant traffic use. When the water freezes it expands, more cracks form and the tarmac is pushed outwards like a bubble.

The thawing ice leaves gaps under the surface and the traffic then causes the tarmac to collapse and form a pothole.

Engineers from Cheshire West and Chester Council have begun to assess the damage caused to its road network by the worst weather conditions in 30 years.

Cllr Neil Ritchie, environment executive member, said: “Due to the freeze-thaw conditions currently being experienced it may take several months for full extent of the damage to be revealed.”

It is feared about 1,300 miles of road across the authority will need repairs and the council has said it will earmark extra finances to deal with the damage.