Motoring organisations have reported a mixed picture of ‘pothole-related’ call-outs last year, with the AA seeing a small drop for the year as a whole and the RAC reporting a 17% jump in the final three months.
In announcements to mark National Pothole Day on Wednesday, both organisations reported a rise in the cost of vehicle repairs and repeated calls for longer-term and preventative measures.
The Pothole Partnership, comprising The AA, British Cycling, JCB and the National Motorcyclists Council and other organisations, said it was ‘pressing local authorities to up their game to the standards of the best by investing in more technology, proactive repairs’.
The AA said its patrols attended 643,318 pothole-related incidents in 2024, compared to 647,690 in 2023.
‘Typically these are damaged tyres, wheels, steering or suspension,’ it said.
AA president Edmund King said: ‘There is some light at the end of the pothole tunnel. The Government has listened to the Pothole Partnership and is beginning to instigate policies that should lead to longer term fixes rather than the recent patchwork approach.
‘The good news is that pothole-related car incidents have declined but the bad news is that the cost of repairs has increased.’
The RAC said its patrols helped 4,709 drivers for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or distorted wheels from October to December, which was 669 more than the 4,040 recorded in the third quarter of 2024.
In addition, during the same period, almost four in 10 breakdowns (39%) it attended were a result of punctured tyres, due to potholes along with other factors like nails and screws.
This was the highest proportion of breakdowns caused by punctures in any quarter during 2024.
The motoring organisation said pothole breakdowns could increase even more this year following recent severe weather.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: ‘The poor condition of Britain’s roads is by far and away drivers’ top concern, yet despite the mild weather our figures show there was no relief from the problem in the final quarter of 2024.
‘To prevent water-damaged roads in future, we urge local highways authorities to resurface those in the worst condition and surface dress other roads to stop them deteriorating further.
‘Hopefully the Government funding announced before Christmas will go some way towards literally filling in the cracks, giving road users smoother, safer surfaces.'
She added: ‘What’s especially positive is it comes with guidance to use the money wisely by carrying out preventative maintenance, which we hope stops more potholes appearing in the future.’
