Pothole Statistics
Case reference FOI2026/02284
Received 23 September 2026
Published 12 October 2026
Request
please provide me with the following information:
The number of potholes reported to you in
2024,
2025 and
to the end of August 2026
and the source of the reporting -
eg: public reports,
routine highway inspections,
information from other employees and companies.
The total amount of money spent repairing potholes in
2024,
2025 and
to the end of August 2026.
The percentage of all pothole damage claims paid out in
2024,
2025 and
to the end of August 2026.
The amount of money paid out for pothole claims in
2024,
2025 and
to the end of August 2026.
The amount of the single largest payout for a pothole claim in
2025 and
to the end of August 2026,
and if possible any details of the make and model of the vehicle the claim was made for.
For pothole damage claims that were refused in
2024,
2025 and
to the end of August 2026, please state the reason for refusal either per claim or as a percentage of the overall figure.
The amount of money spent in legal fees to defend the council against pothole claims from drivers in
2024,
2025 and
to the end of August 2026.
Response
please provide me with the following information:
The number of potholes reported to you in 2024, 2025 and to the end of August 2026 and the source of the reporting - eg: public reports, routine highway inspections, information from other employees and companies.
Answer:
2024 – 1641.
2025 – 2967.
2026 – 9313.
The total amount of money spent repairing potholes in 2024, 2025 and to the end of August 2026.
Answer:
2023/24 £3,290,797.70.
2024/25 £4,061,540.11.
2025/26 £3,441,112.12.
Until June 26 £35,785.22.
Please note, the service area have advised this is the total spend split by capital and revenue on Highways in Herefordshire.
The percentage of all pothole damage claims paid out in 2024, 2025 and to the end of August 2026.
Answer:
2024 8.65%.
2025 5.75%.
Up to August 2026 16.07%.
The amount of money paid out for pothole claims in 2024, 2025 and to the end of August 2026.
Answer:
2024 £15,025.40.
2025 £5,688.57.
Up to August 2026 £31,080.26.
The amount of the single largest payout for a pothole claim in 2025 and to the end of August 2026, and if possible any details of the make and model of the vehicle the claim was made for.
Answer:
2025 £976.60 Ford Kuga
Up to August 2026 £3,718.22 BMW 520d
For pothole damage claims that were refused in 2024, 2025 and to the end of August 2026, please state the reason for refusal either per claim or as a percentage of the overall figure.
Answer:
Valid Section 58 defence.
The amount of money spent in legal fees to defend the council against pothole claims from drivers in 2024, 2025 and to the end of August 2026.
Answer:
£0 – The service area has advised that all claims dealt with by in house claims team.
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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