Pothole-related breakdown callouts have increased by 2% so far this year compared to the same period last year, according to the latest AA Pothole Index. Last month 50,244 was the highest September on record since 2017 .
The main incidents relate to punctures, damaged wheels, steering and suspension. Recent heavy rain means many potholes are hidden in puddles.
The new Government is being encouraged to deliver on its pothole manifesto commitments by the Pothole Partnership.
The partnership stresses that permanently fixing the potholes will popular as well reducing casualties and costs to road users.
The partnership also warns that pothole damage is affecting the economy with damage to vehicles hitting a five-year high.
It has been estimated that the pothole crisis is costing the economy of England alone at least £14.4bn per year.
Previous research shows that the AA dealt with 631,852 pothole related incidents in 2023, the highest for five years.
campaign on potholes by Cycling Weekly in 2023 found that 118 bike riders were killed or seriously injured due to a defective road surface between 2017 and 2021, with six tragically losing their lives. Despite an increase in funding committed by the government, it is estimated that the total cost of fixing all current defects could be as high as £14 billion.
Edmund King, AA President, said: “Recently we have seen an increase in vehicle pothole damage as the heavy rain means puddles hide the potholes. The current Government knows that all road users are fed up with potholes and has the opportunity to make a step change in the spiral of decline by adopting and advocating measures to permanently fix the problem rather than the past patchwork approach. It is costing drivers a fortune but tragically costing lives for those on two wheels.”
