Phil Hill: Are Somerset's roads as good as they claim?

The roads in Somerset are apparently among the best in England.

To borrow a phrase often favoured by communications officers: "and that’s official."

The county was recently judged 26th out of 153 authorities in a Department of Transport table based on the condition and maintenance of its roads.

Great news, eh?

Well, not really.

The DofT drew up a map using a traffic light system - green for good; amber, showing room for improvement; and red, for good luck if you drive there.

Somerset received green ratings for the condition of its roads and wider best practice; amber overall; and red for the amount it spends on maintenance.

That means you are more likely to get a pothole-inflicted puncture, or worse damage, in 127 other authorities, while only 25 authorities are said to have better roads than Somerset.

Of course, statistics can be spun to make things appear better than they actually are.

And Somerset Council is going to want to make the most of its position high up the DofT table.

But don’t be deceived.

The bar must be limbo-dancing low if 127 authorities have worse roads than our seriously pothole-marked ones.

And we shouldn’t ignore the fact that in one of the four categories, despite protests from County Hall, Somerset was rated a red light district - if you know what I mean.

We all know many of the county’s roads are falling to bits.

It’s rare to drive along a pothole-free road.

And you will frequently come across a pothole repaired - (for that, read 'filled in') - one week only to reappear the next.

Even if the roads in Somerset were perfect, you are more than likely to drive out of the county at some stage.

So, what happens when you motor up to Cumberland via Derbyshire or Suffolk via Slough?

Those locations have all been awarded red traffic lights by the DofT ratings.

Surely, the care of our road networks needs to be coordinated across the whole country.

Until that happens, the state of our roads will remain a postcode lottery.