BUCKINGHAMSHIRE'S roads have been deemed some of the best in the whole of the UK but the frustrated motorists of High Wycombe are not in agreement.

Drivers in the area say they are tired of potholes, crumbling kerbs and fading road markings things that have become a part of everyday driving life.

Buckinghamshire County Council, and its partners Jacobs-Babtie and Fitzpatrick Contractors, are in the running for the prestigious National Transport Award given out by the Commission for Integrated Transport. The team behind the county's road maintenance have been shortlisted for a national prize because of their high Best Value Performance (BVI).

The BVI is determined after detailed surveys of roads and analysis of data in comparison to other counties.

Buckinghamshire came out on top but Zoe Clark, of Tyzack Road, said she was appalled at the state of roads in Totteridge and urged fellow motorists to take a stand.

She said: "There are potholes everywhere. You can dodge one or two of the smaller ones, but sometimes there's no avoiding them when they're on roundabouts and junctions."

Sarah Durston, of Tilsworth Road, Beaconsfield, is also shocked at the condition of the highways and is currently making a claim against the council for more than £1,000 of damage to her BMW.

She said: "It is about time Buckinghamshire County Council took their responsibilities seriously. How many more Buckinghamshire residents is this going to happen to? This is not just an isolated incident."

Phil Stonehewer, group manager for strategic maintenance, defended the facts and his team.

He said: "The perception is that the roads in the county are not good, but these are the facts. Bucks County Council are top in the UK.

"We are, in comparison to other counties across England, doing very, very well."

He added: "We can all drive around and say that is not a very good road and needs repair but we are constantly targeting our resources to provide the best roads."

The winners will be announced at an awards' dinner to be held on June, 28, in London.

To report a pothole contact Highways on 0845 230 2882.