SOUTHEND has been named and shamed by the AA for the poor state of its roads, as analysis revealed one in five are in need of repair work.

According to councillors, Eastern Avenue, Southend, Bishopsteignton, Thorpe Bay and Thorpe Hall Avenue, Thorpe Bay are among the worst streets and in need of urgent work.

The AA analysis of data from the Department for Transport shows a fifth of roads in Southend should be “considered for repair”.

It comes as the analysis revealed a third of all B and C roads in England are in need of repair.

Southend Council announced last July an extra £5million was being splashed on improving roads and pavements which took the total to £10million in 2021/22.

Tony Cox, leader of Southend Tories, said: “Eastern Avenue near Bournemouth Park Road has a pot hole that’s a crater and cars have to swerve to avoid it.

“Bishopsteignton is also bad and has sunk in some parts and could easily damage a car.

“I am surprised at the scale of the problem and I just hope the right roads are being prioritised.”

Ron Woodley, non-aligned councillor for Thorpe, said: “The north side of Thorpe Hall Avenue is bad with bad pot holes and there’s been some work to fix issues and it’s come away.

“It is bad and residents have raised with me too. There has been under investment and I brought in the £10million works programme.”

Aston Line, Labour councillor for Westborough said Glenwood Avenue, Westcliff, is in need of repairs after being “neglected for decades.”

He also believes the council is set to fix the road soon.

Steven Wakefield, Independent councillor for highways, transport and parking insisted the council is doing what it can to tackle the issue.

He said: “We have been spending £10millon on repairs for our roads and there has been a lack of investment in the past.

“We are trying to keep up the spending for working on our roads.

Our roads are good compared to other areas in Essex. It is also very, very expensive to fix roads and lay new roads and often people don’t understand or appreciate this.

“We assess our roads very regularly and repair them and carry out works on a priority basis