The Department for Transport says it has released a further £220 million to councils in England for pothole repairs and road maintenance. That is welcome news for drivers, but it does not mean every damaged road will be fixed immediately. If you find a dangerous pothole, reporting its exact location is still the most useful first step.
What the new funding covers
The government announced the extra £220 million on 21 October. It says councils across England are resurfacing nearly 7,000 miles of road this year, based on figures they submitted, and that the additional money is tied to performance targets. Those are national figures and plans, not a timetable for repairs on a particular street.
The announcement concerns councils in England. Road maintenance and reporting arrangements differ elsewhere in the UK. A repaired road should reduce future damage, but the funding announcement does not itself establish whether a council is liable for damage to any individual vehicle.
How to report a pothole
Use GOV.UK's pothole reporting service to find the correct council for a road in England or Wales. Give the road name, precise location, direction of travel and a description of the defect. If the road is a motorway or a major A-road managed by National Highways, report it to National Highways instead. GOV.UK also links to the relevant services for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Only take a photograph if you can do so safely. Never stop in traffic or walk onto a motorway to inspect or photograph a pothole. Keep the report reference number if the service provides one.
If your vehicle is damaged
Stop somewhere safe and check whether the tyre, wheel or steering has been affected before continuing. Keep photographs of the damage, the date and time, the exact location, and any inspection or repair invoices. GOV.UK says the organisation to contact about a possible claim depends on which authority manages that road.
Compensation is not automatic. The authority will consider the circumstances and whether it was legally responsible; you may also want to speak to your insurer. GOV.UK's vehicle-damage claim guide explains where to send a claim in each part of the UK.
