Areas of the UK with the biggest pothole problems
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, recently dropped a budget surprise: an extra £500 million to tackle the UK’s infamous potholes! Given the state of the roads, however, some might say she could double it, and it’d still be well-spent. This funding will come as a slight relief for drivers and cyclists who’ve been dodging potholes like it’s an olympic sport for years, navigating craters that have turned our roads into obstacle courses. This news got us thinking, which areas of the UK have the biggest pothole problem?
1. Northumberland – "The Pothole Kingdom"
A staggering 180,993 potholes make Northumberland a true pothole paradise. Still, local councils have somehow managed to repair 175,357 of them, showing impressive commitment. It’s a silver lining to the region’s endless sea of potholes.
2. Cornwall – "Coastal Craters"
Cornwall’s 88,129 potholes ensure that even the scenic coastal drives come with a few jolts. With high tourism traffic, these coastal craters are a persistent challenge, making a leisurely drive around the coast feel more like a roller coaster ride.
3. Kirklees – "Yorkshire's Bumpy Ride"
In the heart of West Yorkshire, Kirklees is infamous for its rough roads, with a staggering 77,552 reported potholes crisscrossing the area. For locals, it's become a test of endurance and patience, as driving here often feels more like a rally race. Whether you're commuting to work or taking the kids to school, each journey promises a rollercoaster-like experience.
4. Newry, Mourne, and Down – "Potholes in the Peaks"
In the scenic stretches of Northern Ireland, Newry, Mourne, and Down present a paradox: breathtaking peaks and crater-riddled roads. With over 62,820 reported potholes, each drive feels like a trip across the moon’s surface. Locals have become adept at navigating this maze of road hazards, where every drive has a surprise in store. It’s more than just a commute here—it’s an uncharted adventure through an ever-changing landscape of bumps and dips.
5. Fife – "Scotland's Second Pothole Hub"
Scotland’s Fife region holds its own with an impressive 57,051 potholes decorating its roads. Locals joke that driving in Fife should come with a caution sign, as potholes are as common as landmarks here. Even the sturdiest vehicles are put to the test on these rugged roads, and some residents have begun assigning names to the particularly memorable potholes. It’s a rough ride, but Fife’s drivers have developed a good-natured resilience in the face of these persistent craters.
6. Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon – "Craters in Craigavon"
With 54,320 potholes in the region, the roads in Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon resemble a patchwork of gravel tracks more suited to 4WDs than regular cars. Locals have adapted to the bumpy terrain, but it hasn’t dulled their frustration with each bone-rattling commute. These potholes are more than just nuisances—they’ve become notorious landmarks that drivers know by heart.
7. Newcastle upon Tyne – "Toon’s Terrain Troubles"
The city has a hefty 53,767 potholes, making it the Northeast’s answer to a pockmarked planet. In Newcastle, residents brace for impact at every corner and keep a close watch for the worst offenders. Perhaps one day, the council will introduce pothole relief as a part of routine car service checks!
8. Manchester – "Holey Mancunia!"
Manchester’s roads feature over 50,000 potholes and a dismal 19% repair rate, making driving here feel like a crash course in obstacle avoidance. From Heaton Park to the Northern Quarter, there’s no escaping the potholes, which seem as much a part of the city as its football heritage. Residents are ready for pothole bingo — spot five in a row, and you’ve won yourself a new suspension! (disclaimer: this competition doesn’t actually exist).
9. Liverpool – "The Pothole Port"
Liverpool’s 45,000 potholes have made headlines, and the bumpy rides are a reminder that not all treasures are buried deep. Locals know to stay vigilant, lest they find themselves in a particularly cavernous pothole. Some say Liverpool’s potholes might soon be large enough to merit naming rights — “This is the George Street Gorge!”
10. Birmingham – "Bracing for Bumps"
With approximately 42,000 potholes and a fair share left untouched, Birmingham’s roads are a true test of resilience. Each bump tells a story of postponed repairs and driver endurance. Some locals joke that they’ve formed a club for those who’ve survived the Great Birmingham Bump, and initiation is simple — just drive!
11. Suffolk – "Bumpy Suffolk"
Suffolk’s roads come with historic charm and modern obstacles. With over 42,000 potholes, the area’s roads rival its cobblestone streets in terms of bumpiness, giving drivers a jolt of history and rough terrain in one go. Local drivers have learned to accept the unavoidable jolts, though there’s always hope that a smoother, less jarring journey could be in Suffolk’s future.
12. Glasgow – "Crater Capital of Scotland"
Glasgow has earned the dubious honour of "Crater Capital," with around 38,100 potholes and a repair rate of just 24%. You might think you’re driving through a lunar landscape instead of Scotland’s largest city! One pothole per every 86 Glaswegians makes dodging craters here a necessary skill, and locals have joked about setting up a city-wide pothole obstacle course.
13. Edinburgh – "Rough Rides on the Royal Mile"
With over 35,000 potholes to its name, Edinburgh’s historic charm is rivalled only by its cratered roads. Here, 8.2 potholes per 1,000 residents mean you’ll find road troubles on almost every corner. Locals have gotten used to the Edinburgh shuffle — that extra sway to dodge road bumps.
14. Sheffield – "A High Hurdle Rate for Potholes"
With around 30,000 potholes to avoid, Sheffield’s streets provide the perfect training ground for aspiring rally drivers. The city’s repair efforts barely cover the surface, meaning residents are faced with new craters almost daily. Sheffield drivers are practically part of a bumper car ride, given the endless jolts and bumps.
15. Hereford – "The Lesser-Evil Pothole City"
While Hereford has close to 27,000 potholes, it proudly boasts a 50% repair rate — a small victory in the ongoing battle against road wear. Locals find themselves dodging fewer potholes than in other cities, but that doesn’t mean they’re spared from the occasional giant crater.
16. Southampton – "Pothole Parade"
Southampton’s 25,000 potholes mean drivers here could use an honorary degree in evasive manoeuvring. With one of the lowest repair rates in the UK, the city’s streets feel like a continuous pothole parade, giving new meaning to the phrase “tough road ahead.”
17. Stoke-on-Trent – "Stoked with Potholes"
With over 20,000 potholes and some of the longest repair times in the UK, Stoke residents might as well be time travellers — many craters wait over 500 days for repair. It’s a tough wait for residents, who have learned to treat pothole dodging as part of their driving curriculum.
From Glasgow to Suffolk, UK drivers are stuck on a bumpy ride, with repairs lagging far behind the growing list of road defects. These areas make a compelling case for the government’s recent pothole funding boost — though locals might argue it’s just a start!
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Sources:
- edge.media/pothole-danger-zones/
- www.vehiclecontracts.co.uk/blog/pothole-statistics/
- anthonyjones.com/worst-cities-areas-potholes-uk/
- www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/most-potholes-worst-place-roads-uk-city-data-london-borough-b1137194.html
- www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/24134996.northumberland-county-council-pothole-figures-2018-2023/
- www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/potholes-on-uk-roads
Disclaimer: Some of these statistics are estimations based off of local advocacy groups, national organisations who publish road condition assessments and forums.