HIGHWAY chiefs have been challenged about the poor state of some roads in Ripon.

The challenge was led by County Councillor Bernard Bateman and City Councillor Peter Horton at a meeting of the North Yorkshire area committee in Harrogate.

Coun Bateman cited the "disgraceful" road conditions in the Aismunderby area.

He said it was one of the most deprived areas in the county and improvements to the road surface would help to improve the environment.

Meanwhile, Coun Horton called for a switch of focus from traffic calming to road repairs.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said there was a structural problem with roads in the Aismunderby area, which had initially been laid in concrete slabs, which were difficult to repair.

He said they had looked at roads highlighted by Ripon City Council and dangerous defects would be dealt with immediately.