AROUND one in every 33 miles of main road in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole needs repairing, figures suggest.

The AA said England’s roads are stuck in a rut with motorists facing a “plethora of potholes” on their journeys.

Council-run roads were surveyed in the 12 months to March 2021 and classed as "red" if they should be considered for maintenance.

Figures from the Department of Transport show three per cent of A roads in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were put in this worst category – unchanged from 2019-20.

And three per cent of B and C roads were also in need of work.

The proportion of A roads in need of repair is below the average across England, where one in every 25 miles is in poor condition.

The examinations are largely done using scanner machines, which identify sections of road worn by use or affected by ruts, bumps or potholes. However, the DfT said a different method was used in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, which means the area should not be directly compared to others.

The DfT said the proportion of roads in the red category is “stable” following a slight increase during 2019-20, but there has been no change since 2015-16.

A recent AA survey indicated that nine out of 10 drivers want the government to heavily invest in fixing local roads.

The organisation’s head of roads policy, Jack Cousens, said: “While the Government claims road conditions are ‘stable’, the harsh reality is that they are stuck in a rut.

“Road users don’t have to travel too far from home to see a plethora of potholes, fractured tarmac, worn away surfaces and faded road markings which make driving and cycling uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst.”

The DfT figures suggest the smallest roads in England are in an even worse condition than classified ones, with one in every six miles in the "red" category.

In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, 15 per cent of unclassified roads were in need of maintenance in 2020-21 – down from 16 per cent a year previously.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “We are responsible for maintaining over 1,250km (780 miles) of roads and pavements across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

“Each year we operate an annual highway maintenance programme. This is determined by independent condition surveys, technical officer assessments carried out throughout the year and feedback from residents.

"In addition, we will always investigate any damage reports to our highways. This enables us to assess and prioritise repairs, ensuring our roads remain in a serviceable and safe condition.’’