A local county councillor says Ceredigion highways department could end up spending more on the county's roads by cutting back on maintenance.
Cllr Gethin James, a former lorry driver, said maintaining road sweeping and clearing gullies was essential.
A report put before this week's thriving communities scrutiny committee reveals that Ceredigion is in the bottom three of Welsh authorities when it comes to the state of roads.
At least £5m needs to be invested in the county's C roads of which a fifth are in need of structural maintenance.
"This is a damning report," said Cllr James.
"It is false economy to cut back on maintenance."
Ceredigion is responsible for the upkeep of 2,138km of roads, 211km of footways, 996 bridges and over 6,000 streetlights with a combined gross replacement value of over £1,690m - the most valuable asset owned by the council.
"Transport plays a significant part in everyone's daily lives and the county's highways network and its condition is vital to the economic and social prosperity of Ceredigion," said a report to the committee.
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