How do I report a pothole?

This guide explains all you need to know about reporting a pothole on a road, pavement or other public area that may pose a hazard to vehicles or pedestrians.

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How to Report a Pothole?

Potholes can be seen on roads, footpaths, car parks, and other paved areas across the UK. They are typically caused by wear and tear, weather conditions, or inadequate maintenance.

Potholes can be a hazard for anyone using a road or pavement and can cause car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, and other incidents.

If you have identified a pothole, reporting it to your local council can help prevent accidents and injuries. The process is quick and straightforward, and you can do this online or by phone.

If you suffered an injury and other losses due to a pothole, you could also be eligible to make a claim against the authority responsible for road maintenance in that area.

Please continue reading this article to learn more about how to report a pothole to the council and why this is important.

You can also call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to learn more about how you could claim compensation for an accident caused by road damage.

Table of Contents

Why are there so many potholes?

Local government data shows that between January and November 2023, the number of potholes reported to councils across the UK reached a five-year high of almost 630,000. The actual number was likely much higher, as these figures only incorporated data from 115 of the 208 councils that were asked.

Such potholes will vary in size and depth. They are formed due to a combination of water, surface cracks, weather and road traffic through a five-stage process:

Stage 1. The process begins with the cracking of the road surface due to poor drainage, sunlight, ageing, inadequate thickness or other factors;
Stage 2. Rain or melting snow can seep into the small cracks on the road surface and reach the underlying layers of pavement and the soil below;
Stage 3. The weakened road is further damaged by traffic, mainly by heavy vehicles that cause pieces of the surface to break away, creating a hole;
Stage 4. The freeze-thaw cycle makes potholes worse because the water freezes and expands when temperatures drop, widening the cracks;
Stage 5. Once the surface and structure of the road are compromised, water continues to erode the layers underneath, accelerating the growth and depth of the pothole.

Potholes pose significant risks to both drivers and pedestrians, and they should be reported to the authorities so they can conduct timely repairs to ensure the safety of all road users.

What accidents could potholes cause?

Potholes can lead to many different types of accidents, some of which can have a devastating impact on those involved. Some of the most common incidents caused by road and pavement defects include:

Trips and falls. Potholes on walkways can cause pedestrians to trip and fall, especially vulnerable individuals such as children and older people. Such accidents could lead to a successful pavement accident claim.
Single-vehicle accidents. Hitting a pothole on the road can lead to the driver losing control, causing the vehicle to hit a curb or crash into an obstacle, such as a tree, parked car or barrier.
Rear-end collisions. If you brake suddenly to avoid a pothole, a driver following too closely could crash into your vehicle.
Bicycle accidents. Cyclists and motorcycle riders can lose balance or control if they hit a pothole, often leading to serious injuries due to their limited protection. If you’ve been affected, you may be able to make a cycling pothole claim.
Swerving accidents. Drivers swerving to avoid a pothole may enter oncoming traffic, leading to head-on collisions or may hit a pedestrian or another road user.
Public transport accidents. Buses and other public vehicles may also hit a pothole or steer suddenly to avoid it, which can cause sudden jolts and injuries to passengers.

Can I report a pothole to the authorities?

Yes, you can report a pothole to the authorities, and we strongly advise you to do this if you have identified such a road defect that could be a danger to the public. Depending on the location of the pothole, you should report it to your local county council or to the National Highways.

While local councils are responsible for maintaining all roads and pavements in their area, motorways and trunk roads are under the care of the National Highways.

There are several ways in which you can report a pothole, which are:

Online reporting. Most local councils and highway authorities have an online form on their websites for reporting potholes. For example, you can use the GOV.UK pothole reporting service or the National Highways portal to signal a road defect.
Through phone or email. Local councils and National Highways also have dedicated contact numbers and email addresses for reporting potholes and other road defects. For example, you can email or call 0300 123 5000, a 24-hour service, if the pothole is on an A road or motorway.
Through mobile apps. Some councils use apps like FixMyStreet or FillThatHole, allowing you to report potholes with photos and location data. However, it is usually preferable to report the defect via the council’s dedicated page, as this can often lead to a quicker resolution.

If the pothole represents an immediate and significant danger to drivers and other road users, it is classed as an emergency, and you should not make an online report. In this case, you should rather call 999 or the designated number you can find on your council’s webpage.

How to report a pothole to the council

If you have noticed a pothole on a local road or pavement, you can report it to your local council by following these steps:

Gather the necessary information

Provide as much detail as possible to help the council locate and assess potholes, such as:

Its exact location – provide an address, nearest landmark, postcode or GPS coordinates;
The depth of the hole and its surface area, using a ruler or an object for scale;
Whether it is on a road, bicycle path, footpath or a pavement;
The volume of traffic in the area and its likelihood of leading to an accident;
Your name and phone number, in case the council may need to contact you for further details.

Take photographs

Clear photos of the road defect help the authorities identify and prioritise repairs. Ensure you capture the pothole in context with surrounding objects and landmarks and take close-up shots to show its depth and width.

Submit the report

If the pothole does not pose an immediate threat, visit your local council’s website and use their pothole reporting form. You can also use the government website, which will direct you to the correct authority based on your location.

Alternatively, you can use the mobile apps mentioned above. If the road defect is an emergency, call your council’s customer service line or the authorities to report it directly.

Follow up

After reporting, you should take note of any reference number or confirmation email and keep updated on proceedings. You can revisit your report if the defect is not repaired within a reasonable time, or if it gets worse.

Generally, every report will be assessed on location within seven to ten days. Depending on the risk assessment, the pothole should be repaired:

By the end of the next working day, if the damage is severe.
Within seven days, if the hole is greater than 100mm deep and 150 mm wide.
Within 28 days if the pothole is between 40mm and 100mm deep.
If the depth of the pothole is less than 40mm, no action will be taken at the moment.

When should I report a pothole?

You should report a pothole to the authorities as soon as you notice it, especially if:

It poses an immediate danger – the pothole is large and deep, and it could lead to serious incidents;
It is on a frequently used route – potholes on busy roads require urgent attention to prevent harm to drivers and other road users;
It has caused damage or an accident – if it has already led to an accident, immediate repair is necessary to prevent similar occurrences;
It is on a designated public path – potholes on pavements or walkways can cause trips, falls and injuries, especially to children, elderly individuals or those with mobility issues;
It has been there for a long time – if you notice a pothole has been present for weeks or months and was not repaired, you should report it as soon as possible.

Please keep in mind that you should not report a road defect that has already been reported. If there is already a roadworks icon on the map at the pothole you want to report, it means that it has already been scheduled for repairs, and you should not create an additional report.

Why reporting a pothole is important

Reporting a problem with a road or pavement is essential for several reasons:

It can help prevent trips, falls or vehicle accidents caused by potholes, which are a real danger to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike;
It can ensure safer travel for all road users, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly or disabled individuals;
Potholes can cause costly damage to tyres, wheels and suspension systems, which can be avoided by fixing the issue;
It ensures that the local councils or highway authorities responsible for maintaining roads and pavements are made aware of the issue;
Repairing potholes improves the overall quality of life in the community and makes public spaces more accessible;
It helps address the issue before the pothole grows larger and more dangerous for public safety;
Regular reporting helps councils prioritise repairs and allocate resources effectively.

Reporting a pothole is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to public safety and reduce risks for yourself and others.

Can I make a claim for injuries caused by a pothole?

Your local council has a duty to inspect, identify and repair potholes to ensure all roads and pavements are safe and passable. If this duty is breached and you suffer an injury due to a road defect, you might be eligible to make a claim under the Highways Act 1980. However, your claim could be rejected if any of the following apply:

The depth of the pothole is not equal to or greater than 40mm on the road or 25mm (1 inch) on the pavement;
The pothole has formed after the council’s last inspection, and it was unaware of it;
There is a reasonable system in place for identifying and addressing hazards;
The authorities have already taken steps to address the pothole before the incident;
There were warning signs or other systems in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and other road users.

Before taking on your case, a personal injury lawyer will assess your circumstances and chances of success. If your claim has merit, they will help you with the litigation process and handle all communication with the defendant on your behalf.

It is essential to remember that you typically have three years from the accident date to claim compensation. However, some exceptions apply, such as for child injury claims and if the injured person is a protected party under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

What to do if you have an accident due to a pothole

If you’ve had an accident due to a pothole on a road, highway or footpath, the first thing you should do is prioritise your safety and, if necessary, call the emergency service for medical care.

If your injuries are not severe and it is safe to do so, you should take the following steps which will help you support a potential compensation claim:

Take photographs of the accident scene and the pothole, and use a ruler or object for scale to show how wide and deep it is;
Take pictures of your injuries and damage to your vehicle, bicycle or other personal items;
Ask for the names and contact details of any witnesses;
Note the exact time, date and location of the accident and any other relevant information;
Visit the A&E or a minor injuries unit for the assessment of your injuries and to receive proper treatment;
Report the pothole to the relevant authority responsible for maintaining the road or pavement;
Keep all receipts, invoices and documents that prove the financial losses you incurred due to the accident.

If you want to claim compensation for an injury, do not hesitate to seek legal advice as soon as possible for a free case assessment. Alternatively, if you suffered damage to property rather than an injury, read our guide to claiming for pothole damage from the council?

Common injuries caused by potholes

Accidents caused by potholes can lead to various injuries, ranging from minor bruises and lacerations to life-changing brain trauma. The most common types of injuries seen in pothole compensation claims include:

Sprains and strains are damage to the muscles, tendons and ligaments that can be caused by sudden jolts or awkward movements, commonly affecting the knees, wrists or ankles;
Fractures can be caused by falling or crashing due to a pothole and can range from minor breaks to severe shattering of the bones that require surgical intervention;
Cuts and lacerations range from minor scratches to deep wounds that require stitches and can be due to blunt force trauma in car accidents or falling onto a rough surface;
Whiplash is a common road traffic injury that occurs when there is a sudden and forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck, typical in rear-end collisions;
Back injuries range from sprains and herniated discs to severe spinal cord trauma, with long-term consequences such as chronic pain or paralysis;
Head injuries can be due to trips and falls or car accidents caused by potholes and range from mild concussions to severe brain trauma;
Road rash is common among cyclists and motorbike riders and occurs when they skid along the pavement after a pothole accident;
Dislocations can be due to awkward falls caused by potholes or road traffic accidents that cause the bones to shift out of their place in a joint;
Psychological injuries can develop after severe accidents involving potholes and may include anxiety, depression and PTSD.

To find out how to report a pothole to the council or how to claim compensation for injuries caused by poor road maintenance, call 0800 470 0472 today or use our contact form to request a call back.

Last edited on 5th Aug 2026

Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has over 15 years’ experience in the legal industry, with specialist knowledge of personal injury and medical negligence claims.

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