UK councils with worst pothole nightmares revealed in new map - check your area

The UK's worst areas for potholes have been revealed, with one having nearly 160,000 reported since 2022. The UK Pothole Index 2025 has been compiled by car finance providerFirst Response Finance. The report aims to reveal the impact of road conditions on drivers, identify which regions are most affected, which councils are investing in repairs and where road conditions are changing for better or worse.

Devon County Council has recorded the highest total number of potholes since 2022, with 160,374 logged over the past three years. This is followed by Surrey (138,159), West Sussex (128,196), Oxfordshire (102,889) and Kent (85,627). Drivers in Lincolnshire have seen the most potholes reported in the first half of 2025, at almost 30,000, making it the worst-hit area in Britain so far this year. Other badly affected areas includeKent (25,668),Devon (25,408), Surrey (20,048) and Hampshire (12,388).

Essex County Council has the largest road repair budget in the UK for 2025/26 at £72 million and has already spent 60% of its budget in the first half of the year.

Other top investors include Lincolnshire (£65m) and North Yorkshire (£53.4m), while Carmarthenshire has the smallest budget at just £510,000.

Despite having the largest budget, Essex's roads are getting worse. The council has seen a 162% increase in potholes between 2022 and 2024, while Devon, which has the fourth largest budget, has seen a 160% increase over the same period. Meanwhile, Hertfordshire and Kent have shown improvement, with pothole numbers falling year on year.

Jonathan Such, motoring expert at First Response Finance, said: "The numbers show how much of an issue potholes are within the UK. Over a quarter of Brits believe potholes in their area are never fixed, and the data backs this up.

"Only 10% of councils have shown consistent improvement, while 26% have seen pothole numbers rise year on year. Maintaining roads isn't just about comfort, it's about safety.

"Poor road conditions can lead to tyre damage, suspension issues, and even accidents. That's why it's vital for councils to prioritise infrastructure and for drivers to stay informed."