Thirty-three roads have been resurfaced as part of an ongoing £6million improvement programme.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Dawson Avenue after resurfacing under the council's Highways Investment ProgrammeDawson Avenue after resurfacing under the council's Highways Investment Programme (Image: Archant)

The figure is more than half of the number of streets in Barking and Dagenham identified as being in need of urgent repair by the council last September, with those close to schools taking priority.

There are still 26 more roads to go before the Highways Improvement Programme is completed under the council’s 18-month plan,

The list of 59 streets chosen for repair included those with a Highway Condition Index of 70 plus, meaning that significant works needed to be undertaken and simple repairs would be inefficient.

Cllr Mick McCarthy, cabinet member for environment, said: “We’ve done our best to choose some of the worst roads and to spread the programme so that all parts of the borough will see some improvements,”

However, some residents have complained their road is not on the list despite being riddled with potholes.

Pam Dumbleton of Alderman Avenue, Barking, wrote to the Post saying her road “is in a very dangerous state of repair but isn’t down for resurfacing.”

She added: “The surface is crumbling away more each day. This is a very busy bus route with business vehicles using it all the time.”

Cllr McCarthy added: “Resurfacing work is not cheap and there are many roads which we haven’t been able to include. That’s why we’re campaigning for more funds to make proper road improvements which motorists deserve to see.”

As well as resurfacing, unnecessary street clutter such as bollards, posts and signs have been removed, with speed limits being painted on roads to reduce the need for signs and lines also repainted, the council said.

Roads due for resurfacing in the next 12 months include Dagenham Avenue, Broad Street, Parsloes Avenue, Valence Circus, Salisbury Avenue and Station Road in Chadwell Heath.