Pot holes are an almost inevitable consequence of winter, but the Palmerston North City Council is prompting residents not to put up with them.

The council's calls for motorists to phone in their complaints prompted three responses yesterday, about holes in North, College, and Waldegrave streets.

Comments on the Manawatu Standard's Facebook page complained about Tremaine Ave and the Ashley St-Church St roundabout.

Programmes team leader Rob Campbell is encouraging people to keep the calls about pot holes rolling in.

"We don't have people driving around looking for them.

"We want the public to be our eyes and ears, so we can get out and deal with them."

Mr Campbell said patching pot holes in winter was a tricky business, as it was hard to get a good fix when there was wet material underneath.

“Water tables are higher than during summer months, causing the sub-base, the layer of metal under the seal, to stay saturated and move about. This also hinders repairs as the metal doesn't dry out and the new seal is easily damaged.”

Summer repairs lasted much longer.

During winter, large sealing projects are often temporarily patched and completely redone in summer when the metal can dry quickly.

Each pot hole costs about $30 to repair.

Mr Campbell said some parts of Tremaine Ave were known trouble spots. The stretch from Tyndall St to Heretaunga St was in line for seal rehabilitation this summer.

The Ashley St roundabout would also be fixed as part of a $70,000 resealing programme from the intersection to the corner of The Square when the weather improves.

Mr Campbell said the budget was too tight to do both projects together last year.

Residents are asked to report any new or large holes around the city streets as they appear by contacting customer services on 356 8199.

- © Fairfax NZ News