£20m roads bill after North Yorkshire snow

Pothole repairs will cost North Yorkshire County Council around 10 million, as well as a further 9 million needed for gritting expenses.

The council has since announced it will propose 2.94% rise in council tax for 2010 which, although the lowest rise in 16 years, would have been less had the damage to roads not been so extensive.

If plans go ahead to make council tax more expensive, the bill for an average Band D property will cost 1057.48 - a rise of 30.18 annually, or 58p a week.

County Councillor John Weighell, leader of the council, said it had been a priority throughout the budget consultation process to keep council tax as low as possible but money for roads had to be found.

He said in a statement: "As more and more people find themselves victims of the economic downturn, they turn to the county council for help and support.

"It is essential that we are able to offer that vital support, and we cannot do so without making a small increase in the tax we levy.

"It had been our hope that the increase would be even lower. But the damage caused to the county's highways by the most extreme weather conditions for thirty years will cost several million pounds to repair.

"We have taken what is prudent from our reserves to help to pay for this work, but there is still a shortfall which must be covered through tax."

Next week, the council's Executive will be asked to approve the use of 1 million from reserves so that an immediate start can be made on emergency repairs to the county's frost-damaged highways.

John Fort, executive member for highways, said in a statement: "Every winter throws up highways damage which needs repair, but this year has been the worst many people can remember for around 30 years

"We do not at this stage know what the precise cost of the repairs will be, but North Yorkshire has the largest network of roads in England, and many of them have been seriously damaged in this very severe weather."

The proposed council tax rise will be considered by the council's executive on Tuesday and by the full county council on February 17.