OXFORDSHIRE transport chiefs have admitted they do not know how much damage was inflicted on the county’s roads by ice and snow, despite pledging £1m to fix potholes.

The county council is calling on the public to report potholes and is bracing itself to spend more once the full extent of the damage is known.

Residents across the county are reporting their roads are in a worse state than ever before, after the most severe winter weather in 30 years.

Two warning signs have been put up on Rose Hill’s main road, Ashurst Way, warning drivers to slow down because of frost damage.

Sandra Townsend, of Lenthall Road, said the road had been made worse because trucks constantly drive into the estate going to a 254-home regeneration scheme being built.

The 55-year-old, who suffers from chronic arthritis, said: “Ashurst Way really is absolutely atrocious. It is almost like one long pothole.

“It is understandable, but now we are just being bounced around on the bus because there is no way they can avoid all the potholes.”

Two Witney residents have criticised the council for failing to repair a foot wide pothole in Bridge Street after the damage was reported a week ago.

Ian Pluright, 37, had to pay £51 for a new tyre after hitting the “monster” pot hole while driving his Astra on Friday night.

Mr Pluright, from Well Lane, Curbridge, said: “I am annoyed the council have not got round to fixing it.

“I appreciate there is a hell of a lot of pot holes but this one is huge and it is a main thoroughfare for drivers coming from North Leigh, Long Hanborough and Bladon getting on to the A40.”

Shirley Cook, a Witney resident for 60 years, said the town’s roads were in the worst state she had ever seen them.

The 74-year-old said both her and her son had reported the pothole in Bridge Street during the week.

She said: “All over Witney there are bad pot holes, but this one is in a dangerous position.

“Drivers are avoiding it during the day, but at night they can’t see it and for cyclists it is very dangerous because they can’t swerve round it if a car is behind them.”

The council's head of transport Steve Howell said: “We appreciate that the severe weather conditions in recent weeks have caused a significant deterioration in carriageway condition.

“However, it is too early to say how serious the problem will become as winter continues.

“In recognition of the urgency of the situation, the council has allocated an additional £1m to effect repairs.

“The need for further funding above our existing budget will need to be considered once the full picture is understood.

“Our dedicated staff are doing their absolute best to respond as quickly as possible to the reports of road damage.

“However, common sense dictates that we must treat as a priority those potholes which pose the greatest risk to motorists’ safety.”

Anyone who wants to report a pothole to the council should call 0845 310 1111.

A 22-YEAR-OLD graphic designer from Horspath has planted 10 “pothole gardens” in Oxford and south Oxfordshire to draw attention to the terrible state of Britain’s roads.

University student Pete Dungey has been out and about filling potholes in Rose Hill, Iffley, Wheatley and Holton, with brightly coloured primroses, heather and grass.

The Brighton University student filled the first hole with grass and said he noticed drivers responding well to them by swerving to avoid the potholes and preventing damage to their cars.

Mr Dungey said: “I am installing small gardens in potholes around Oxfordshire in order to gain the attention of the local council, but I am also doing this to highlight the terrible state of our roads around the country.

“I noticed the roads around Oxford had got a lot worse since I was last here and that turned my attention to trying to change them into something else.”