Too much of a common sight?
Figures show that workmen dug two million holes in our roads last year - one for every 200 yards of highway.
Gas, electric and water firms excavated an average of 12,500 trenches in each council area.
Sheila Rainger, of the RAC Foundation, said: "As long as utility companies enjoy a free hand to dig up the roads, motorists will pay the price with expensive and frustrating delays.
"Having to dodge so many holes just to go about your business adds to congestion and damages the environment."
She also claimed councils were increasingly being forced to repair roads because utility firms had botched the resurfacing after carrying out their work.
The figures were revealed as part of the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey, which drew on budget data from two thirds of councils in England and Wales. Jim Crick, chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance which conducted the survey, said unnecessary digging shortened the life of roads by up to 30 per cent and made delays worse.
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