The British pothole crisis exposed: over 5 million repairs and 3.3 million reports since 2022
We're taking a deep dive into the British pothole crisis
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Almost 5 million potholes have been repaired across Great Britain since 2022, with over 3.3 million of these reported by drivers, according to our new research.
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were submitted to all 207 road-maintaining authorities to uncover the scale of Britain’s pothole problem from both a repair and reporting perspective.
In total, 173 authorities responded, with the data revealing where the most repairs were carried out, and which areas saw the most reports from drivers. The findings suggest that Britain’s road network is deteriorating faster than maintenance budgets and resurfacing programmes can keep up with.
While councils are completing millions of repair jobs, drivers continue to face worsening road conditions that lead to vehicle damage, unexpected repair costs and widespread frustration.
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Pothole repairs (January 2022 – September 2025): The true scale of road deterioration
Councils have carried out a total of 4,952,744 pothole repairs since 2022, with annual figures increasing year on year as road conditions continue to deteriorate across Great Britain:
2022: 1,110,893
2023: 1,408,436
2024: 1,514,325
2025: 919,090 (to 30/09/2025)
Rather than indicating progress, the huge number of repairs highlights the scale of the issue. Councils are having to patch roads reactively as roads deteriorate faster than long-term resurfacing programmes can keep pace with.
By the end of September 2025, councils had completed 3,379 repairs per day on average, meaning the final annual figure for 2025 is estimated to have exceeded 1.23 million.
Top 10 councils carrying out the most pothole repairs (January 2022 – September 2025)
Devon County Council – 191,272 repairs
Surrey County Council – 182,595 repairs
Scottish Borders Council – 157,545 repairs
Northumberland County Council – 143,899 repairs
Kent County Council – 143,555 repairs
Kirklees Borough Council – 135,250 repairs
Shropshire Council – 130,009 repairs
Durham County Council – 129,838 repairs
Cheshire East Council – 124,804 repairs
Lincolnshire County Council – 121,511
Councils across rural, coastal and commuter regions make up the top 10, reflecting the pressure created by large road networks, high traffic volumes and greater exposure to weather damage.
Several of these authorities are responsible for thousands of miles of local roads, meaning even small defects can quickly escalate into larger maintenance challenges.
The scale of repair work in these hotspots alone highlights how widespread the national pothole problem has become, with the top 10 councils accounting for more than 1.3 million repairs since 2022 – nearly a quarter of all repairs recorded in the dataset.
Pothole reports (January 2022 – September 2025):
Despite councils carrying out millions of repairs, drivers are continuing to report large numbers of potholes each year as road conditions remain a daily challenge:
2022: 746,829
2023: 1,004,210
2024: 975,860
2025: 590,430 (up to 30/09/2025)
Reports surged past one million in 2023 as public frustration peaked. While 2024 saw a slight reduction, reporting levels remain high, with 2025 on track for another significant year despite the research covering just nine months.
By 30 September 2025, drivers reported an average of 2,170 potholes per day, putting the year on course to reach around 792,304 total reports.
The figures underline continued frustration among motorists, though the recent decline may also reflect a loss of confidence that reporting potholes will lead to timely repairs.
Pothole riddled roads are not ideal for any motorist, as they can cause serious damage to your car. That's especially gutting if you're driving something you're proud of - like a fresh Mercedes.
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Top 10 councils receiving the most pothole reports (January 2022– September 2025)
Large counties, particularly across the South West, North East and Midlands, feature prominently among the areas receiving the highest number of pothole reports from residents:
Devon County Council – 167,401 reports
Northumberland County Council – 149,053
Herefordshire Council – 135,985
Durham County Council – 129,838
Cheshire East Council – 126,649
Cornwall Council – 118,964
Oxfordshire County Council – 111,215
Kirklees Borough Council – 110,598
Derbyshire County Council – 99,146
Surrey County Council – 93,126
These areas typically combine large road networks, ageing surfaces and greater exposure to adverse weather conditions, creating persistent pothole problems that directly impact everyday journeys.
Six councils – Devon, Northumberland, Durham, Cheshire East, Kirklees and Surrey – appear in both the top 10 for pothole reports and repairs, but the remaining places differ. Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, for example, completes the most repairs nationally yet ranks 51st highest for reports, indicating a proactive approach from authorities to keep on top of the pothole problem.
What Causes Potholes?
According to Ben Welham, our motoring expert, the high volume of repairs and reports across Britain points to underlying structural issues with the road network.
He says several factors contribute to road deterioration, and explains why the problem persists year after year:
Water penetration and freeze-thaw cycles
“Water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands and breaks the surface apart – something that cold and wet winters only make worse.”
Ageing road surfaces
“Large parts of the road network are decades old. As tarmac ages, the materials holding it together weaken, making surfaces more prone to cracking and erosion.”
Heavier vehicles and rising traffic volumes
“Cars are getting bigger and heavier, which puts more strain on road surfaces over time. That additional weight accelerates wear and tear, particularly on older roads that weren’t designed for today’s vehicles.”
Short-term patch repairs
“Budget pressures often force councils to rely on patching rather than full resurfacing. While necessary, these fixes are less durable and more likely to fail over time.”
Extreme weather patterns
“Periods of heavy rainfall softens road foundations, while hot summers soften asphalt, both of which contribute to surface breakdown.”
Addressing these issues will require longer-term maintenance strategies and continued investment, says Ben.
“Our research suggests that drivers are feeling increasingly frustrated by the condition of our roads. Roads are breaking down faster than they can be repaired, and it’s affecting everyday journeys. Longer-term investment will be key to making driving smoother and safer for everyone.”
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