Councillors and residents have raised concerns over the number of large potholes appearing on roads in and around Cirencester and have called on Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to take action.

Potholes are becoming an increasing concern for drivers, with one man having to pay £500 on car repairs in the last month alone.

Residents said that some of the roads in Cirencester are currently worse than farm tracks and they are worried about driving on them.

Dominic Lester, who works at Cirencester Radio Cars, said he was almost put out of work due to the cost of damage caused by potholes.

He said: “I have spent £500 repairing tyres and the suspension on my car.

“When I had the car checked they confirmed the damage was caused by potholes.

“Cirencester has the worst roads of anywhere currently.

“On Friday I put four new tyres on my car, and by Monday, both of my front tyres went due to potholes.

“If it wasn’t for my boss bailing me out, then that might have been the end of me.”

Chesterton Road, Victoria Road and Lewis Lane are just some of the roads that are particularly badly affected.

Cotswold Liberal Democrat leader Joe Harris shares residents’ concerns and hopes that increased investment will ease the pothole problems.

He said: “Unfortunately, every winter potholes do appear due to a lack of funding for our roads, Until the council invests more into our roads it will continue to happen.

“We urgently need a comprehensive programme of full resurfacing schemes to tackle this huge problem.”

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways at GCC said: “This is peak pothole season and as a result we’re putting more effort into urgent road repairs, but I certainly appreciate how frustrating it is for all road users.

“If people see a pothole they can report it at gloucestershire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-rights-of-way/roads/report-it/ “Dangerous problems are repaired within 24 hours.

“Less urgent repairs within 28 days.”

“We’re working hard to get these fixed and put more money than ever before into resurfacing so we can cut the chances of them reoccurring.”