SWINDON council is one of the worst performers in the country when it comes to repairing potholed roads, research suggests.

Data from the Department of Transport, compiled by the AA, revealed just 0.7 per cent of the damage to the borough's A roads was fixed during 2018-19.

Only Blackpool (0.08 per cent), Blackburn and Darwin, and Slough and Redbridge kept Swindon off the bottom of the UK table.

But in response to what is calls "limited" figures, the local authority argues its roads might not be repaired as often because they don't need to be.

When quizzed on the issue on Facebook, Adver readers did not share that opinion – saying it was easier to identify roads with potholes than without.

Places such as Cheney Manor, Pinehurst, Queens Drive and Beechcroft Road were all highlighted.

Clive Alexander said: "Never seen so many, they are everywhere."

Andy Curtis added: "Cheney Manor is the worst. You've got to hope and pray your car doesn't break around the roundabout area."

Jill Cuss said: “Not sure you could say where the worst are.

“All roads – major and minor – seem to be full of them.

“Wouldn’t know where to start.”

Martin Kerry Lewis said: “Penhill by the shops where the bus stop is – that’s bad.

“You can’t miss the bad bit there. Who has to pay if our cars get damaged because of it?

“Why don’t they sort the roads out instead of wasting money putting traffic lights in down by the Moonrakers? It’s a joke.”

But with winter approaching, the number of potholes is no laughing matter.

AA president Edmund King told the Daily Mail: "These new government statistics show just how vast is the difference between councils when comparing the amount of road repairs they carry out.

"They suggest that, for quite a few local authorities, a bad winter will quickly lead to a plague of potholes.

"Potholed pavements and roads can also be dangerous for those currently being encouraged to walk and cycle more, as well as for motorbike riders.

"For those on four wheels, potholes can cause costly damage to tyres, wheels and suspension – leading to compensation claims and a needless drain on council finances."

The AA statistics showed only six per cent of councils in England had repaired the potholes on their busy roads between 2018-19 and 32 per cent of roads had been resurfaced.

Somerset council was the best performer on its busy roads, making 13.5 per cent of repairs.

But Swindon council argues the A-roads in Swindon are some of the best and suggests the data given by the AA is ‘limited’”

A spokesman said: “The A roads we maintain are amongst the best in the country in terms of their condition, according to the Department for Transport, so it is therefore not surprising that these figures show that fewer repairs were carried out.

“Authorities who do the least resurfacing may actually have the best networks to start with and those that do the most maintenance each year are possibly the ones with roads in the worst condition.

“Also, the data in question relates to major roadworks only and therefore gives a limited picture of the work the council does to maintain the whole road network on a regular basis.

“In recent years, the council has consistently invested more on capital maintenance of roads than the capital grant available from central government.

“The data considered is a snapshot of just a couple of years.

“Investment in the road network ought to be looked at over a longer timeframe to give a more accurate picture.”

The figures show Swindon council repaired 1.1 per cent of ‘minor’ roads between 2018-19.

Swindon Labour group leader Jim Grant, who is also a councillor for Rodbourne Cheney, said: “Whether going to work or taking children to school, having quality road surfaces is something that affects the vast majority of people.

“It’s one of the issues that people raise with me time and again.

“If the Conservatives can’t be trusted to get the bread and butter issues right in Swindon, why should they be trusted with our town’s future?

“They’re talking about spending millions of pounds here and there for cultural quarters and bus boulevards , but are failing to get the basics right.”