SOMERSET has the second highest number of substandard council-maintained bridges in Britain. 

A new study has shown that 3,203 bridges across Britain are not fit to support the heaviest lorries which can weigh up to 44 tonnes. 

The RAC Foundation conducted the research. 

Across Somerset, there are 210 bridges that are considered to be substandard. 

Devon has the highest number with 249 and Somerset is followed by Essex with 160. 

RAC Foundation director, Steve Gooding, said: "It's the pothole backlog that normally hits the headlines but it is easy to forget all the other aspects of road maintenance that councils are involved in; from clearing ditches to cutting verges to maintaining bridges.

"In the face of growing traffic volumes and ageing infrastructure the danger is that without an adequate long-term funding settlement we will see more rather than fewer bridges with weight restrictions, with the backlog bill getting bigger all the time."

Martin Tett, transport spokesman at the Local Government Association, representing more than 370 councils in England and Wales, said the report "underlines the chronic need for more investment in local roads".

He noted that councils receive just £27,000 per mile for local roads investment, compared with more than £1.1 million being spent on motorways and major roads.

"This gulf in funding puts the country's businesses at a competitive disadvantage and provides poor value for money," he said.

"Virtually every national journey starts and ends locally."

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Local highway authorities are entirely responsible for maintaining their bridges. We have provided a record £6.1 billion up until 2021 for roads maintenance outside London, which councils can prioritise to help repair and strengthen bridges."