A STAGGERING 33,000 potholes could be filled in or repaired across Somerset next year, figures reveal.

Somerset County Council recevied a £1.75 million cash boost from central Government to repair the blights, meaning it cost £53 per pothole to fill in.

However, Cllr David Fothergill, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Somerset County Council, said more needed to be done to bring the county's roads up to scratch.

Potholes can be dangerous for motorists, as they can often cause damage to cars during journeys.

The Department for Transport, which allocates local authorities funding throughout the year, revealed the figures following Chancellor Philip Hammon's Autumn Statement last month.

The funding for the potholes came direct from the DfT, which has pledged a further £20 million next year for the county council's highways team to improve its roads.

In total, the Government has pledged £3 billion worth of investment on improving roads and motorways across the country, and is one of the main flagship policies of the Conservative Government.

The DfT revealed the figures as it announced six major schemes across the country, but Somerset and the South West missed out on major funding.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “This is a government that steps up, not back which is why we are investing record amounts into improving our roads across the country.

"This investment is over and above the £23 billion we are spending to get motorists to their destinations quickly, more easily and safely.

“The schemes announced today are focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future - removing the barriers to help make an economy that works for everyone.”

Cllr David Fothergill, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways said: “Although news of an extra one-off pot of £1.75m to spend on our roads is very welcome, we repeat our calls for greater ongoing levels of investment.

"We have seen our budgets consistently reduced in recent years which makes it harder to plan an effective long-term structural maintenance programme. "We’ll be looking closely at the detail of this funding before deciding how best to invest the money to achieve maximum value for money.

"As always, this means prioritising permanent repair schemes to prevent potholes forming, rather than simply filling them in.”