The latest public service satisfaction survey published by the Institution of Civil Engineers shows people want more money to be spent repairing roads riddled with potholes.

The survey, which monitors change in attitudes to key public services in the UK, shows that 55% of respondents now think that roads and highways should be the first or second priority for investment, compared to 49% in the first quarter of this year and only 37% this time last year.

The results follow a string of announcements from the new coalition Government detailing significant budget cuts for local transport projects and warnings that there are still more cuts to come.

ICE president Paul Jowitt said: “Our local roads are already under-funded, with a budget shortfall of £1.2 bn across local authorities and maintenance works backed up to the extent it will take more than a decade to address.

“Without increased, or at very least maintained, levels of investment we won’t be able to improve this situation. This will have dire consequences for local communities and the UK as a whole, driving up costs in the long-term as roads continue to deteriorate, and impacting on the local economy as congestion and delays become more frequent.

“In the worst case scenario further funding cuts will seriously detract from the value of the asset, reduce road safety and increase congestion and delays, which will ultimately have a detrimental effect on our economy.”