A COUNTY and district councillor has called for financial penalties to be imposed on public utilities that cause inconvenience to communities by digging up roads.

County and district councillor Carl Les, who owns the Leeming Motel, said he is prepared to lobby the local authorities.

The A684 through Aiskew has been dug up several times and in various locations over the past 12 months as the utility companies upgrade their networks.

Although people say they are happy with better facilities, they claim the constant disruption is damaging trade and quality of life.

Coun Les said contractors may be persuaded to spend more time co-ordinating maintenance programmes if they were obliged to resurface entire carriageways rather than patch over refilled trenches.

He is also requesting that councils are given the right to charge for any inconvenience caused by roadworks and to fine firms which do not complete their tasks on time.

He said: "The A684 in Aiskew is a classic example of continual and continuing work, not only month on month, but now year on year.

"Apart from causing delays to commuting traffic, public transport misses connections, delivery vehicle schedules are scuppered, businesses are affected, emergency services could be delayed and people get frustrated. The whole community suffers."

His campaign has the support of former Mayor of Bedale and current leader of North Yorkshire County Council, John Weighell.

Coun Weighell said: "I would certainly back a move to make the utility companies more accountable when it comes to digging up the roads."

North Yorkshire County Council highways department was unavailable for comment.