The research, released today 14 March by the Asphalt Industry Alliance, has found that there are an estimated 2.2 million potholes on UK roads – up by a third – which have left one in five local roads in poor condition, with less than five years of life remaining.

LeasePlan’s Brennan said: ‘Potholes are a blight on Britain’s roads and LeasePlan is now calling on the Government to urgently address this growing problem in next week’s Budget. The £215m allocated to repair these essential arteries in the Autumn has proved inadequate, and it is likely that the recent cold snap will exacerbate the state of the roads further.

‘The free and effective movement of people and goods around the UK should be central to the Government’s aim of economic recovery. While billions are being spent on infrastructure projects like HS2 and Crossrail, the progress of these initiatives should not cost the integrity of existing transport networks.’