Councils see “massive” jump in pothole claims, but vast majority fail, new data shows

The figures were reported by the RAC and are based on the results of 177 freedom of information requests to councils in the United Kingdom.

Pothole compensation claims allow drivers to apply to their local authority for financial compensation if their vehicles have been damaged by potholes on their local roads.

The RAC said the data they received showed that the vast majority of claims are unsuccessful, with only a quarter (26%) of local authorities settling and paying compensation in 2024.

This amounts to an estimated £3,564,824 being paid out by councils in just a single year, at an average of £390 per claim, the automotive service firm said.

The RAC reported that Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Medway, Carmarthenshire and Telford councils all turned down 99% of claims received in 2024.

Around half of all Welsh councils rejected almost all of the claims they received, according to analysis of the data by the BBC.

Bridgend was the only council to pay out 100% of a much smaller number of compensation claims last year at 52 claims.

Derbyshire County Council reported the sharpest rise in claims, increasing from 224 in 2021 to 3,307 (up 3,083) in 2024.

Glasgow City Council took second place, where claims more than doubled from 1,140 in 2021 to 2,794 in 2024 (up 1,654), while Oxfordshire County Council placed third with claims jumping from 488 in 2021 to 1,941 in 2024 (up 1,453).

Commenting on the findings, the RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, said: “The massive three-year rise in pothole compensation claims made by drivers shows what a huge task it is returning the roads to a respectable standard.

"But it’s far from an even picture across the country, with just a handful of councils receiving the lion’s share of claims from beleaguered motorists.

“Drivers are still suffering the consequences of years of neglect to Britain’s local road network. But even if you submit a compensation claim the odds aren’t good, with around 40,000 requests for reimbursement turned down in 2024 alone."

Despite the recent rise in claims, Williams said he is "hopeful the dial will really begin to shift" as highways authorities in England have been given £1.6bn for road maintenance.

He also noted that the Government's recent effort to implement multi-year funding settlements for local government would "give the certainty they need to plan and deliver better maintenance programmes".

Adam Carey