A new report has noted how Wokingham Borough Council has spent more than £722,000 on pothole repairs, and has seen a staggering rise in the number of compensation claims lodged against it for damage caused by the craters in the last three years.
As Britain’s pothole crisis hits record levels, an investigation by Accident Claims Advice has also revealed claims against the council for pothole damage have risen by 159% since 2022.
In the last three years, the local authority says it has spent a total of £721,539 on pothole repairs, as well as forking out a further £25,000 in compensation claims.
It comes as the number of roads being left unrepaired by UK councils has hit record levels.
Up to 82% of the miles of local roads flagged as in need of maintenance were ignored by councils last year – the highest proportion since records began in 2009, according to the latest Department for Transport (DfT) data.
The data was obtained by Accident Claims Advice (ACA) via Freedom of Information requests.
ACA’s Public Liability specialist, Beverly Faulkner said: “Councils and local authorities have a duty of care to ensure the safety of people using public spaces, such as parks, highways and footpaths.
“A crucial part of this is making sure the land under their control is properly maintained. Failing to do this can put people at risk.
“The damage caused by potholes can be catastrophic leading to serious injury and/or costly vehicle damage. It is vital that roads are properly maintained. and councils are held responsible for the roads they maintain.”
Across Britain, pothole-plagued minor roads have fallen to their lowest level on record.
Steve Gooding, the director of the RAC Foundation, said: “The number of cars is increasing, traffic volume is increasing, the number of potholes is increasing, the only thing not increasing seems to be the amount of money being spent on maintaining our local roads, which everyone in the country relies on whether they drive or not.”
The data also noted how Wokingham spending on pothole repairs dipped in the last year from £283,000 in 2023 to £274,000 last year (2024).
The UK Treasury announced in the Budget in October that total local road maintenance funding in 2025/26 will be nearly £1.6 billion, representing a £500 million uplift compared with the previous 12 months.
More than £378 million was specifically allocated for local authorities in the South East and London.
