An on-the-ground survey by AA Streetwatchers has found that the number of potholes in road has improved over the last year but local roads are still blighted by an average of 6.25 per mile, with conditions set to get worse over the next few months as winter takes its toll.

The survey also found that the level of potholes is highest in Scotland, with a count of 8.9 per mile of road. This was followed by Yorkshire/Humberside, with 8.5 potholes per mile of road, and the West Midlands with a figure of 7.3.

AA president Edmund King commented: ‘Only recently, the Local Government Association warned that potholes may again become a serious problem this winter with local authority budget cuts biting and no likelihood of extra government cash. The AA Streetwatch survey has found that, although patching up the roads after last winter’s ravages has brought some improvement, their condition is on a knife-edge and drivers are still likely to have to dodge potholes.’