Carriageway Defects and Pothole Repairs

We carry out regular inspections throughout the year of all our adopted roads, pavements and footpaths. But you can help our inspectors by reporting any problems you see.

What is a pothole?

A pothole is a hole or depression in a road surface, often caused by the deterioration of the pavement due to weather and traffic. Potholes typically form when cracks in the road surface allow water to seep in. This water then freezes and expands in colder weather, further weakening the road.

We class any problem that is 

• 4 cm deep or over on a road (see below image)
• 2.5 cm deep or over on a footway or crossing

as an 'actionable defect'.

We don't normally undertake a repair however if:

• it is less than 4 cm deep on the road
• it is less than 2.5 cm deep on a footpath

If your report doesn't match this criteria, it won't be actioned. Please note that overestimating the size of the hole doesn't mean that it will be fixed - the impact of misreported potholes affects the delivery of the service we provide. 

What happens next?

When you let us know about damage to a road or pavement, we aim to inspect it within 10 working days.

Once inspected, we assess the issue using our Highway Safety Inspection Policy. If it meets the criteria for action, we carry out a risk assessment to decide how urgent the repair is.

We consider things like:

• The location, size, and depth of the pothole
• The type and amount of traffic using the road
• The speed limit, road layout, and visibility

If the issue is classed as minor, we still prioritise it based on how serious it is, where it is, and how important the road or pavement is in the network.

PLEASE NOTE: Repair times vary with the size, depth and location of the pothole. 

To report a problem please use our online forms:-

Report A Pothole 

Report A Road or Footpath Problem 

Repairs carried out in 2025/26

Repairs carried out in previous years