The vehicle finance company Xcite Car Leasing has shared the parts of the UK that are most affected by potholes, as they warn that the road network in its current state only has a life expectancy of five years.
According to data sourced from councils across the country, Lancashire County Council is the worst area for road damage, receiving more than 72,500 complaints during 2023.
A spokesperson for Xcite Car Leasing noted that, whilst many complaints were made across the area, the council have repaired the majority of affected potholes.
They explained: “Lancashire County Council takes the top spot for the highest number of potholes reported, with 72,548 in the past year.
“Of that number, they repaired 61,086. Roads in the area will benefit from a £5.1million increase over the next year which might see the number of reports reduced.”
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Derbyshire County Council can be praised as repairing the highest number of potholes during the 12-month period, fixing 85,726 on their road network.
In comparison, Xcite Car Leasing noted that Hampshire Council fixed the fewest in the country at 8,204, just 32 percent of the number reported by frustrated drivers.
In addition, the company found that the authority had the biggest budget left over in 2023, with more than £10,000,000 remaining.
Whilst potholes can contribute to a much rougher ride, they can also cause significant damage to a vehicles tyres, wheels and suspension system.
Xcite Car Leasing urged drivers that have just hit a pothole at high speed to pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and check for any damage.
If the vehicle has gained a fault, from a punctured tyre to misaligned tracking, motorists should book their vehicle in for repairs when possible.
To help prevent more vehicles from being affected, the company also recommended drivers to report any potholes they see.
Road users can do this by making note of where the pothole is located and going to the ‘Report a pothole’ page of the Gov.uk website.
Whilst it is not always possible, motorists can also receive compensation from local councils if their car was damaged from a pothole.
