The staggering figure, which is based on more than 131 miles of unclassified or minor roads being replaced, has been revealed by Mayor Martin Winter.

As Mr Winter played down the figure opposition councillors blamed him for spending money on grandiose projects such as the £300 million Civic and Cultural Quarter set to transform Waterdale area and the £32 million Keepmoat Stadium.

Coun Stephen Coddington (Liberal Democrat, Wheatley) said: "This is a massive figure and it's very concerning that it would take such an amount to put the roads back to the standard they should be.

"There is an underlying feeling that the council is not doing what it
should be.

"This is an accumulation of years of neglect and I am glad this figure has come out.

"We need a return to back to basics. We have seen the council come up with grand plans and elaborate schemes many of which have been shrouded in controversy.

"It should be meeting road standards and ensuring these are maintained."

In March the council drew up a list of more than 1,250 road improvement schemes that should be completed.

However, it was forced to draw up a list of 300 projects which needed completing because of a lack of cash.

In a letter to Coun Craig Sahman Mr Winter says the £40million takes into account borough-wide highway surveys over four years.

The figure also typically refers to roads in need of resurfacing, major strengthening or reconstruction.

In the last financial year the council spent £5.6 million on road repairs.

Coun Patricia Bartlett, (Conservative, Torne valley) said roads on the outskirts of the borough had been forgotten.

"I think it's terrible, people pay their council tax and they expect to see something for it," she said.

"I cover the far reaching areas of Doncaster and people there feel like they are being left out, they don't feel like they are getting value for money."

Mr Winter said the £40 million was an estimate of what it would cost to bring roads up to "tip top" condition and the figure should be treated with "caution."

He added many councils carried a backlog of road repairs many of which were worse than Doncaster.

Mr Winter said: "It is not money we have or are expecting from Government.

"In an ideal world I would like to spend more on road repairs but a decision like that would mean transferring money from another priority
area, for instance education, and that I am not prepared to do."