Number of Reported Potholes in England Increases 40%

A new study on the state of potholes across England has examined the individual county council statistics on potholes year on year and conducted a driver survey to assess the current situation.

The data gathered through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to county councils across England, compiled by analysts at Quotezone.co.uk, reveals a 40 per cent year-on-year increase in reported potholes and examines which areas of the country are worst affected – as 92% of drivers say their local areas are getting worse.*

In 2023, one of the wettest years on record, potholes reportedly cost UK drivers almost £500m in repair bills, with 83% of drivers saying they paid for the repairs themselves rather than file a claim.*

Reports to local authorities increased from 349,125 to 413,094 potholes across England – with 29% of drivers surveyed saying they know of potholes that have never been fixed.

However, some areas have been more affected than others, and Suffolk has been crowned the pothole capital, as reports in the county increased by a staggering 180 per cent between 2022 and 2023.

According to the data, Gloucestershire roads are also particularly cratered, as reported potholes shot up by 98%, from 6,845 cases to 13,554.

Kent is another area that comes in way above average, with a 92 per cent increase in reports yearly.

The picture looks different in other areas of the country where the numbers have improved, including Staffordshire and Lincolnshire.

Between 2022 and 2023, pothole reports were reduced by 30 per cent in Staffordshire and 1.3 per cent in Lincolnshire.

Derbyshire has barely been affected by the rise in pothole reports, with a minimal 2 per cent increase, and Lancashire another area coming in below average, with just a 9 per cent increase.

Commenting on the data, Quotezone.co.uk CEO and car insurance expert Greg Wilson says: “The extreme weather conditions over the last two years have really accelerated the growing pothole problem—they continue to blight UK roads, causing dangerous and costly damage for all road users.

“From an insurance perspective, if drivers have fully comprehensive car insurance, they should be covered for pothole damage. Two things to note, though: They’ll need proof the damage came from a pothole, and the excess on the policy may be more than the damage itself, so it’s worth getting a quote for repairs and weighing up the options.

“Claiming on the insurance will also likely mean drivers lose their no-claims bonus, and the next five years of car insurance could, therefore, be more expensive until the claim has cleared.

“Drivers could pursue the local authorities, either the council or the road authority, depending on the area, and try to claim for any damages – again. They’ll need evidence such as photos, measurements, and even witness statements, which can be helpful.

“The Quotezone survey showed 59% of drivers don’t report potholes, with drivers saying a clearer reporting tool to help them raise awareness of problem areas would be key to aiding the situation.”

Preventative measures, like regularly maintaining tyre pressure, being wary of puddles, and checking navigation apps for problem areas, could help reduce the risk of damage. Prompt attention to any issues could also help prevent minor damage caused by potholes from becoming a major problem.

*Quotezone.co.uk‘s findings are based on a random survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during July 2024, representing a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.