As fed up drivers mark National Pothole Day on the 15th of January in protest at the state of the nation’s roads, motoring experts have revealed the worst offending areas.
Researchers from car leasing giants LeaseCar.uk have named and shamed the English councils that received the highest number of compensation requests from vehicle owners due to pothole damage over 2018-2019.
They have also revealed the eye-watering amounts paid out to motorists, with Surrey topping both lists.
Potholes are caused by water that seeps into tarmac and then expands as temperatures drop below freezing during the winter, cracking the road surface.
Driving over one can jolt and damage a vehicle’s suspension, affect the condition of wheels and in extreme cases even puncture or burst tyres.
A total of 37,578 relevant claims were made across England during the period in question, with poorly maintained roads meaning councils compensated motorists to the tune of £3,520,538.38 in total.
Surrey County Council received by far the most claims for pothole damage – 3,533 – and paid out the most in compensation – £323,222.
Hampshire (2,665), Hertfordshire, Kent and Northamptonshire County Councils also faced over 2,000 claims each throughout 2018-2019, with counties such as Essex (1,841) and West Sussex among those comfortably topping 1,000.
Other local authorities billed over £100,000 by disgruntled drivers during the reporting period include Bury Metropolitan Borough (£217,992.15) in Greater Manchester.
Cumbria, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire (£214,804.22), Warwickshire, Suffolk and Devon also paid out six figure sums.
The only councils that didn’t have to use a single penny of taxpayers’ money to compensate motorists were the Greater London Boroughs of Islington and Sutton.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sefton Borough Council on Merseyside and St Helens Council were among others to keep compensation for pothole damage to a minimum.
They paid out just £353, £582.60 and £594 respectively, with the local authorities in Harrow, Hounslow, Redbridge and Waltham Forest also received bills of less than £1,000.
Only two claims were issued, meanwhile, against Richmond upon Thames Borough Council – 21 less than any other area in England.
A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said: “Potholes aren’t just ugly and inconvenient – they regularly cause damage to vehicles and can be dangerous.
“We understand that many local authorities are strapped for cash and have to tighten their belts, but as motoring specialists we believe road maintenance should be a higher priority that it currently is.
“Taking greater steps to repair and prevent potholes would improve safety for road users and be popular among the voters across the country that councillors are accountable to.
“It could also ultimately reduce councils’ costs by bringing down the number of successful compensation claims by long suffering vehicle owners.
“We’d advise any driver who drives over a significant pothole, or is worried their vehicle may have been damaged, to urgently check their tyres and suspension.”
The data was obtained by Freedom of Information request and covers the period 1st January 2018 to 17th October 2019.
The full breakdown of English councils and their claims for compensation is available at https://leasecar.uk/blog/which-location-is-the-pothole-capital-of-the-uk/.
Notes to editor: Please come back to me frank@motivepr.co.uk for larger graphics or further information.