Dozens of cars were damaged today and several had to be towed away after a large pothole opened up on one of the main roads into Harrogate.

Drivers travelling towards Harrogate on the A658 at Huby felt the brunt of the impact at rush.

The hole was eventually coned off and traffic lights installed but not before numerous vehicles had been damaged.

David Barker, who lives in Huby, said:

“At the peak of the morning rush hour, 12 cars had stopped at Huby Banks and I’m told three more stopped at the T junction and a couple more before the village.

“The AA have been to at least three cars and the Harrogate local recovery company have taken another three away.

“As the traffic built up in the rush hour cars could not see the hole or avoid it. They were all coming from Pool towards Harrogate.”

Mr Barker tried to report the incident but was batted back and forth between North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, and the police non-emergency number.

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He said several drivers changed wheels before continuing their journeys.

He added:

“The road has in the past ‘blown up’ in this area due to a drainage problem and water is often seen running down the road.

“Much of the problem is many modern cars do not have a spare wheel so if the tyre has come off the rim due to rapid deflation the blow-up repair kit does not work.”

The Stray Ferret has approached the county council for comment.