“We welcome this increased investment, especially the additional focus on proactive maintenance as this helps prevent potholes before they become a danger to road users, or a drain on drivers’ wallets.”
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, described the data as “encouraging”, especially with preventative measures being used.
He said: “Surface dressing, if done properly, is a very cost-effective way of improving more roads for the long term.
“The proof, of course, will be in whether drivers and other road users notice the difference. Getting the country’s roads up to a decent standard, and keeping them there, isn’t an overnight job. But at least we’re now on the right track.”