MILLIONS of pounds have been pledged to help improve Herefordshire's roads - but that money did not come soon enough for one bloodstained cyclist.

Richard Gummery needed an emergency operation at Hereford County Hospital following the accident near Callow last week.

He was left with broken bones and a bloody face after hitting a pothole - and has now warned other cyclists to be on their guard, especially when riding in the dark.

“It happened at 5.15am last Wednesday – I had my lights on, but I didn’t see the pothole,” said Richard.

“I cycle every day to work and normally I go straight down the Callow and stick to the A and B roads.

“But I decided to go down Knocker Hill Lane, near Callow Marsh garages.

“I hit the pothole and landed on my elbow, which ended up broken. I also had lots of grazes on the side of my face.

“You often have people, like me, who work early hours, and when you cannot see the potholes, especially in the countryside, it becomes particularly difficult.

“The main roads are ok, but the side roads are appalling.

“Tidying up the roads must be one of Herefordshire Council’s top priorities.”

Another road user to have fallen victim to the poor surfaces is Stephen Probert.

He is still bearing the effects of hitting a pothole nearly a year ago.

The 40-year-old, who is a security guard at allpay, was a passenger in a BMW that hit the defect in Allensmore, causing the car to end up in a hedge.

The vehicle was written off and Stephen sustained back injuries for which he is still having physio today.

“The council has been really good to be fair and has accepted liability,” said Stephen.

“I am still on medication and have had injections to my spine.

“But I now avoid potholes like the plague.”

His 12-year-old daughter Rose is even highlighting the story as part of an ongoing pothole project at Hereford Academy.

The children's studies may now look at the recent budget - which did provide some good news for motorists and cyclists.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin confirmed this week that Herefordshire Council will receive £3,538,803 from the Government for road repairs following the wet winter.

The news was welcomed by North Herefordshire MP Mr Wiggin.

He said: “We desperately need to act to fix the potholes on our roads to make the county safe again for cyclists and motorists.

“I am particularly pleased that Herefordshire has received the most funding in the West Midlands.”