How quickly does Central Bedfordshire Council fill in dangerous potholes?

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 an eye-watering £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 Central Bedfordshire Council uses a "risk-based" approach to fixing potholes.

Not only will a pothole's size be considered, but also the potential impact on road users and volume of traffic.

That means deeper potholes on quiet lanes will be less of a priority than minor defects on a major route.

The local authority will only investigate potholes that are at least 5cm deep and 15cm wide.

That applies regardless of whether the pothole is on a quiet lane or a major route.

RAC Foundation 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.”

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".