Urgent problems are most often addressed within two hours (79 councils), with 17 authorities aiming to respond inside one hour. Three councils say they look to tackle serious potholes immediately.

But at the other end of the scale two local authorities say they typically respond within 48 hours, one within 72 hours and another within five days. The research was compiled by the RAC Foundation.

It also found large differences across Great Britain as to the minimum depth a pothole has to be to warrant intervention or investigation. Fifty six percent of local highway authorities take further action when a pothole exceeds 40mm, with a fifth only waiting until a defect is 20mm deep. Fourteen percent do not take action until the pothole is at least 50mm deep.

“Motorists might still be surprised to see such a wide variation across the country,” said RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding. But he added he is pleased to note that the vast majority of local highway authorities are adopting a ‘risk based’ approach to addressing defects.

“The total number of potholes being filled in might still be limited by a shortage of funding, but this approach at least means those that are most dangerous are fixed first.”

Local Government Association transport spokesman Martin Tett responded: “Keeping roads safe for all users is one of the most important jobs councils do and is reflected in the fact that local authorities are fixing a pothole every 21 seconds, with priority given to repairing potholes that pose the greatest risk based on their size and location.”