New research has suggested it will cost £14 billion to repair the UK's potholes by around 2019.

Statistics from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) states pothole repair times have surged in recent years, from 10.9 years in 2006 to 14 years in 2016.

With an average of 12,000 potholes for each local authority in the country, the Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the Government to allocate a further £1bn a year towards roads maintenance by investing just 2p per litre of existing fuel duty.

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LGA Transport spokesman, Cllr Martin Tett, said: "This year could be a tipping point year regarding potholes and councils, who have experienced significant budget reductions, now face the looming prospect of a bill of £14 billion to bring the nation's roads up to scratch.

"It is wrong and unfair that the Government allocates almost 40 times more to maintaining national roads, which it controls, compared with local roads, which are overseen by councils. It is paramount this funding discrepancy is swiftly plugged. It is becoming increasingly urgent to address the roads crisis we face as a nation."

(LM/MH)