Every driver knows the feeling.

You swerve to avoid one pothole, only to hit the next one.

So when Norfolk County Council says it's testing new repair methods, it's easy to hope things might finally improve.

But here's the question that really matters.

Will the repairs actually last?

The council has used spray-injection patching for several years and has also been testing a thermal surface-patching method to see whether it provides a longer-lasting repair.

That's encouraging.

But until the results are published, nobody can honestly say whether the newer method performs better on Norfolk's roads.

Drivers don't judge a repair by how quickly it's completed.

They judge it by whether they're bouncing over the same pothole again next winter.

That's why there are three things worth watching.

1. Does the repair last?

A patch that survives heavy traffic, rain and freezing weather is far more valuable than one that needs repairing again a few months later.

2. Where has it been used?

If the council publishes the locations of the trial repairs, residents can judge the results for themselves rather than relying on headlines.

3. Are repeat repairs falling?

The real success measure isn't how many potholes are filled.

It's how many don't need filling again.

The Government is also asking councils to publish more information about repair performance, repeat visits and preventative road maintenance.

That means drivers should gradually get a clearer picture of which repair methods are delivering the best long-term results.

For Norfolk motorists, cyclists and motorcyclists, that's the information that matters.

If a repair keeps roads smoother for longer, saves suspension, tyres and wheel alignment, most people won't care what technique was used.

They'll simply notice fewer garage bills.

Know A Road That's Always Full Of Potholes?

Tell us where it is. We'll build a Norfolk Pothole Watch and see whether the latest repair methods are making a real difference.