Plymouth faces surge in pothole claims as repair budget drops and road damage grows

More than 150 pothole-related claims have been made against Plymouth City Council in the past three years, new Freedom of Information figures show.

Personal Injury Claims UK, which obtained the data, confirmed that 163 claims were submitted between 2022 and 2025.

The busiest year for claims was 2023/24, when 70 reports were made.

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However, the highest amount paid out was in 2022/23, when compensation reached £19,580.

In total, the council has paid more than £25,000 to drivers and road users affected by pothole damage during the three-year period.

Patrick Mallon, solicitor at JF Law, said potholes had become a growing issue across the country.

“In recent years we’ve seen a clear rise in pothole-related incidents, particularly during wet and cold weather, which accelerates road deterioration,” he said.

“Potholes can cause serious mechanical damage, leaving drivers with expensive repair bills. 

For cyclists and motorcyclists, these defects can also lead to severe or even life-changing injuries.”

There are estimated to be more than one million potholes across the UK, and around 15 people are killed or seriously injured each month in crashes linked to poor road surfaces.

The Daily Mail recently reported that UK pothole-related car repair bills reached £579 million in 2024.

Locally, Plymouth City Council’s pothole repair budget dropped from £746,310 in 2023/24 to £616,653 in 2024/25, despite ongoing pressure on the road network.

As of 15 August 2025, the council had 186 unrepaired potholes on record.

The worst-affected road was Budshead Road, with 24 outstanding defects, however some of these potholes may have been repaired since the data was collected.

Speaking to Personal Injury Claims UK, Mr Mallon said councils have a legal duty to maintain safe roads.

“Local councils are responsible for keeping road surfaces in a safe condition under the Highways Act 1980,” he said.

“When repairs are delayed and that results in damage or injury, motorists may be entitled to seek compensation.”

He added that stretched budgets and limited resources were affecting repair times in many areas.

“Many councils are working with limited resources, leading to delays in identifying and fixing these hazards. That’s contributing to the rise in pothole-related incidents we’re seeing across the country.”

Figures from the RAC show a continued increase in pothole-related breakdowns.

Between October 2024 and September 2025, the RAC responded to 25,758 call-outs linked to damaged road surfaces, an 11% rise on the previous year.

On average, this meant around 71 breakdowns every day.