A FIFTH of people in Oxford say they would pledge an extra 10 per cent council tax to fix the nation's roads.

Research by Roadmender Asphalt concluded that Oxford residents were keen to get rid of potholes and repair the roads.

In the survey, 20 percent of people in the Oxford area said they were willing to pay an extra 10 per cent on top of their council tax bill for road improvements.

Read also: Three hour queues for a haircut as barbers reopen

Another 82 percent of people would rather cycle or drive in to work now than take public transport due to the pandemic.

In addition, 24 per cent agreed driving is the most stressful part of their day, caused by the poor quality of roads.

Harry Pearl, CEO of Roadmender Asphalt said:"After a decade of austerity, councils have naturally gravitated towards innovation and have helped launch R&D hubs, working with innovative SMEs.

"This research shows that residents of Oxford are united with local councils to help fund essential projects during this difficult time. Together, SMEs and councils have started to ask why are pothole repairs filled with the same materials made to build roads, when they can fill potholes with materials made specifically for the job, that may prove to be significantly more efficient and cost-effective."

He added: "Experienced by councils up and down the land, the problem with pothole repairs is they are carried out using a process built around materials designed for building roads rather than fixing them.

"As a result, the process is more costly, inefficient and ineffective than it needs to be, rather like playing squash with a tennis racquet. You can do it but it’s far from ideal."