Almost £8 million has been spent in a bid to tackle pothole problems and road repairs this financial year, with council chiefs saying they are delighted at the progress they have made.

Bad road surfaces remain one of the biggest concerns amongst residents and Bucks County Council has announced that there is still about a further £17 million still to invest before the end of next March.

New BCC cabinet member for transportation, Mark Shaw, says a difference is beginning to show across the county, with 37 of their 291 planned schemes completed so far.

Councillor Shaw said: “I am really pleased that through hard work and a tremendous amount of planning we have been able to deliver a significant proportion of the roads resurfacing programme already this year.

“The County Council is making huge investments in our roads and we will continue to deliver the best roads that we can, given the budgetary constraints we are under."

He added: “In total, we have completed 37 of our 291 schemes so far, with work taking place right across the county.

“We know that there is still lots to do, but hopefully residents will start to see some good improvements, and there is still a huge amount of work in the pipeline.”

BCC director of transport services, Mike Freestone, said: “The delivery of this year's capital roads improvement programme has seen a significant step change in both the magnitude and quality of work outputs, helped undoubtedly by a better, more focused planning process and good levels of supervision and control.

“This sets a new benchmark in the delivery of these programmes designed to enhance the condition of our roads.

“Recent years have shown a steady improvement in the condition of our roads and this year's stretched programme being so well delivered augurs well for a step change when the roads are surveyed again next year.”