Northamptonshire County Council aims to repair dangerous potholes within two hours

That’s the most common response time, with the slowest councils in the UK taking up to five days.

Hitting a pothole, or even swerving to avoid one, can ruin a car’s suspension, steering or tyres, according to the AA.

In extreme cases they can cause serious accidents.

In 2018, the AA estimated potholes cost drivers and insurance companies £12 million.

It said: “The pothole epidemic has become nothing short of a national disgrace.”

A Freedom of Information request by the RAC found that Northamptonshire County Council determines how dangerous a pothole is by measuring its size and depth.

But the data shows deeper potholes on quiet lanes will still be less of a priority than minor defects on a major route.

On rarely-used roads, Northamptonshire County Council will only intervene when potholes are at least 7.5cm deep .

On busy major routes, potholes at least 4cm deep will be investigated.

The RAC Foundation recommends a different approach, assessing the impact of a pothole on road users over size.

Director Steve Gooding said: “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.

“Those particularly vulnerable to potholes – cyclists and motorcyclists – might ask whether the speed of pothole investigation should be based solely on the risk to users.”

Repairs for the least troublesome potholes in Northamptonshire could take up to a month.

The Local Government Association called for more funding for council-controlled local roads.

Transport spokesman Councillor Martin Tett said: “Keeping roads safe for all users is one of the most important jobs councils do.

“That’s reflected in the fact that local authorities are fixing a pothole every 21 seconds.”

He added that councils need “consistent and fairer government investment in local road maintenance”.