OXFORDSHIRE’S motorists face a summer of disruption in a desperate bid to avoid another winter of discontent.

Today, the Oxford Mail reveals the county’s worst roads that will be resurfaced, in a £9m effort to stop them breaking up completely when temperatures drop.

But the cash, including a £3.5m handout from central government, will fall well short of upgrading every street needing work.

Seventy stretches of damaged tarmac will be overhauled between now and October.

Routes to be repaired by Oxfordshire County Council in Oxford include Banbury, Woodstock and Botley Roads.

Across the county, the A4130 at Didcot, the A415 at Witney and A44 at Yarnton are among those on the highways hitlist.

The work is in addition to schemes at Iffley Road and Heyford Hill roundabout County engineers, responsible for a 2,800-mile network, have prioritised stretches of road most susceptible to further damage from water, frost and snow.

Cabinet member for transport Rodney Rose said: “They are in a state where holes could get bigger and break car wheels. We need to get in before it gets to that (stage).”

Last week, it was revealed that county road conditions got worse last year after five years of sustained improvement. That was blamed on harsh winter conditions over the past two years, and has come at a time of unprecedented budget cuts at County Hall.

The roads maintenance budget has been cut by £13m – about 26 per cent – over the next four years.

Mr Rose admitted the latest programme would fall well short of dealing with every stretch of road that needed upgrading – estimating that cost at £70m. But he was adamant maintenance standards would be met.

He said: “I think our roads are very easy to drive on. It is a job to say you are happy when you know you could do more. We’re doing what we can with money available.”

He said engineers would also continue dealing with potholes as they are reported.

Mr Rose said it was impossible to predict the impact another bad winter would have, and said it would be his duty to call for more government cash if needed.

Pete Willoughby, who works as a mechanic at ATS Euromaster in Wantage, has seen a high numbers of cars damaged by potholes. He said: “I cannot believe we haven’t all refused to pay council tax and road tax. It is diabolical round here.”

The county council is only responsible for major routes within Oxford and has given Oxford City Council an extra £156,000 to upgrade minor city roads.

Roads to be improved by the city council include Shelley Road, Temple Road and Ashurst Way.

Last year, the county paid out more than £86,000 in damages claims from potholes, more than double the previous year.