Under-investment in resurfacing the borough’s roads has been blamed for their deteriorating state.

Lambeth’s roads have been littered with hundreds of potholes in recent months, creating dangerous obstacles for motorists and housing large puddles that are soaking passing pedestrians.

The town hall blamed the cracks and holes on problems caused by this winter’s heavy snow fall and deep frosts.

Some 450 reports of potholes have been recorded by Lambeth Council since the beginning of January, an increase of 300 per cent on the same period last year.

But critics said a larger problem of underinvestment in resurfacing roads is the ultimate root of the problem.

The Lib Dem opposition said the number of roads completely resurfaced had fallen by nearly 40 per cent since 2006.

David Weeks, director of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, said: "A well-maintained road would withstand snow and ice without a problem.”

He said the pothole problem across the UK was because of “the siphoning of road maintenance money into other projects at a town hall level”.

Lambeth Council said it had invested £7.7m in road maintenance since 2006, and earmarked an extra £300,000 for road repair this year in case of extreme weather.

Councillor Sally Prentice, cabinet member for environment, said the council had been using new "instant patch repair" technology to deal with potholes more speedily.

She said crews had been working around the clock fixing dozens of potholes a day, with 629 repaired since January 1.

She said: "Because we were prepared we are dealing with them quickly and efficiently."

But the Streatham Guardian has learnt the council's highways department is struggling to repair damaged roads.

A leaked email from a Highways officer, seen by the Streatham Guardian, stated: "We are having difficulties getting through the pothole repair programme."

Recent heavy rain has damaged roads further and any additional potholes will now only be dealt with once potholes already highlighted are fixed.