THE road network in Worcestershire is in a significantly worse state than in most of Britain.

The National Road Maintenance Committee Survey says the county's roads are about 45 per cent worse than the national average.

The County Council's own survey showed that 4.2 per cent of A roads, 11.9 per cent of B and C roads and 12.7 per cent of unclassified roads need work to prolong their life.

The County's environment/sustainability policy advisory panel is recommending the Council should increase its spending towards the government's recommended levels. In the current year, Worcestershire was supposed to spend £18.9 million on repairs but could only afford to spend £14.57 million, 23.1 per cent below the government's Standard Spending Assessment.

Jeff Romanis, the County's head of highways, said: "The panel's recommendation is that spending on repairs be increased so it approaches the SSA." The panel heard that part of the problem is the effect of agricultural vehicles on the county's network of rural roads, causing damage to verges and drainage ditches.