Don’t Let Potholes Get The Better Of You – Report Them!

Potholes are not just a nuisance; they also pose serious hazards to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. In the UK, where tarmac and asphalt are subject to frequent and harsh weather conditions and the freeze-thaw effect, the prevalence of potholes is a persistent issue. Promptly addressing them is crucial to ensure the safety of commuters and the integrity of our infrastructure. The key to tackling this issue on public roads lies in efficient pothole reporting and repair. But here is where things get particularly tricky.

While potholes seem ubiquitous, getting a clear picture of their national presence is surprisingly difficult. The reason? The UK’s road maintenance system is entirely decentralised. This means responsibility falls on different authorities depending on the road type and location. Unfortunately, this also means there’s no single, unified system for either collecting or obtaining national pothole data. This current approach also relies heavily on manual inspections and sporadic reports from the public, a fragmented system that more often than not results in delays in identifying and repairing potholes, exacerbating safety risks and causing unnecessary damage to cars.

What’s the impact of this fragmented pothole reporting system?

In a word, inefficiency. Incomplete data makes it challenging for authorities to prioritise repairs and allocate resources effectively. This ultimately leads to delays in fixes, further compromising road safety and causing additional unnecessary damage to cars. The repercussions of inefficient reporting systems extend beyond mere inconvenience. Potholes contribute to increased accidents, vehicle damage, and traffic congestion. Moreover, they can escalate into larger, costlier road repair projects if left unaddressed. Thus, the need for accurate and efficient reporting mechanisms is paramount to mitigate these risks and ensure the timely maintenance of our roads.

So, what can you do as a responsible driver?

The good news is that even though there’s no single national reporting platform, there are still ways to get them addressed. These are the reporting links:

Motorways and A-roads in England: The first step is figuring out who’s responsible for the road. Motorways and major A-roads in England fall under National Highways. For these, you can report potholes directly on their website – report a problem national highways – or call them at 0300 123 5000.

Motorways and A-roads in Scotland: Motorways and major A-roads in Scotland are maintained by BEAR Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland. To report a pothole on a trunk road, you have two options:

• Visit the BEAR Scotland website and use their online reporting tool – report a defect.
• Call Transport Scotland’s Traffic Scotland Customer Care Line at 0800 028 1414.

Motorways and A-roads in Wales: These fall under the responsibility of Traffic Wales. You can report potholes on their website using a map interface – report a pothole traffic wales or call directly 300 123 1213.

Other roads in England: For all other roads in England, you’ll need to use the local council’s website. To find out which council the pothole belongs to use the council finder tool and the postcode. Most councils have their own dedicated sections for reporting potholes for example Surrey County Council report a pothole. Many also offer apps or phone numbers for reporting.

Other roads in Scotland: These are typically managed by local councils. Similar to England, use the local council search tool and punch in the website to find which council it belongs to, then visit the council’s website and look for a dedicated pothole reporting section.

Other roads in Wales: For all other roads in Wales, you’ll need to find the website of your specific local council using a postcode in the Welsh local authority search tool. Most councils have dedicated sections for reporting potholes.

Reporting potholes

Accurate and speedy reporting is key when dealing with potholes. While the specific details requested by UK councils may vary slightly, there’s essential information they typically need. The most crucial aspect is location, and the more specific you are, the better. This includes the street name with any variations like “Road” or “Drive”, the nearest landmark (traffic light, bus stop, building), and if you have it, the postcode. You can also describe the pothole’s location relative to landmarks, for example, “pothole on the northbound lane, just before the bridge.”

Once you’ve pinpointed the location, consider the size and severity of the pothole. Briefly describe its size (small, medium, large) and estimate or measure the depth and breadth if possible (but always prioritise your safety)! Additionally, indicate any potential hazards caused by the pothole, such as sharp edges or uneven surfaces. While not always required, including a photo can be a helpful visual reference, especially if the location description is complex. You can also mention any witnessed damage or near misses caused by the pothole, but focus your report primarily on the pothole itself to ensure the council takes immediate action.

FixMyStreet – Report any pothole anywhere

FixMyStreet is a website that facilitates the reporting of various street and road issues including potholes, to local authorities in the UK. It means you don’t have to look up the council and find their reporting site. It’s very easy to pinpoint your location as you can scroll on a map to set it. By pinpointing the location of the problem on a map and submitting the report, it then goes directly to the correct local council.

OUTCO pothole repair

Potholes on private property such as business parks and supermarket car parks are not covered by local authorities and should be reported directly to the management responsible for that car park. With a range of pothole and surface repair solutions available for car parks, OUTCO can help extend the life of car parks and keep them safe and hazard free. Our innovative repairs solutions can have sites open and operating again in as little as 15 minutes after a pothole repair.

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