Potholes have become a significant problem in the UK over the past few years, with figures from the RAC suggesting there could be as many as one million on Britain’s roads. In Wigan alone, the council deals with around 3,500 potholes a year.
They’re the bane of motorists’ lives, causing wheel, tyre, and suspension damage that costs drivers millions to put right. But who is responsible for repairing potholes, and who should you contact if you need one repaired on your driveway?
What counts as a pothole?
Extraordinarily, there’s no national or legal definition of a pothole. It’s generally accepted that it’s a depression or hollow in the road caused by wear and tear or subsidence. Most local councils will only repair a pothole if it’s 40mm or deeper.
What causes potholes?
There is no single cause of potholes. Repeated heavy traffic, wear and tear, and poor road construction all play a part.
The most common reason is the freeze-and-thaw cycle, where water seeps through the road surface. When it freezes, it expands and dislodges the road aggregate, causing the surface to crack. The result is the potholes that blight our roads, especially in the winter months.
As well as being a nuisance, potholes can cause serious damage and injury to cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, so it’s important to get them filled in.
Who is responsible for pothole repair in the UK?
So, who is responsible for repairing potholes? UK law says the legal responsibility rests with the road owner. Under the Highways Act 1980, roads must be kept safe for road users to avoid accidents, injuries and property damage. These strict laws ensure the quality and safety of pothole repair.
But what does this mean in practice?
Fixing potholes on public roads
National Highways is responsible for Britain’s Motorways and A roads, and local councils are responsible for repairing and maintaining roads in their area. Check the local Street Register to find out whether your road is adopted — this just means the local authority now owns and is in charge of maintaining it.
Repairing potholes on private roads
If you live on an unadopted or private road, you have a duty of care under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 to prevent injury to any visitors. In essence, this means that you’re responsible for the upkeep of your property, including any car parks and private roads — and that includes repairing any potholes that appear.
But don’t be tempted to fix it yourself. You could face fines or prosecution or be held legally responsible for any accidents or injury your repair causes. A DIY repair could also damage the existing infrastructure, increasing overall repair costs.
Driveway pothole repair
The same rules apply to driveway pothole repair as to private roads. But while it’s tempting to repair them yourself, the best option is to contact our expert contractors for a long-lasting, quality repair.
How are potholes repaired?
So, how will we sort the issue? There are five key methods for repairing potholes. Some are more permanent than others, so it’s worth knowing which is right for the road or tarmac drive in question.
Throw and Roll repairs
These repairs are as basic as they sound — throwing tarmac into the hole and rolling the surface. It’s important to note that this is a temporary solution.
Edge seal repair
For a more durable repair, a ring of sticky asphalt called tack is used to seal the pothole after a throw and roll repair.
Spray injection
This quick and effective method uses specialist equipment to remove water and debris before spraying a binder into the pothole. The pothole is then filled and tarmacked for a professional finish.
Semi-permanent repair
This method is similar to a throw-and-roll repair, except the patch material is more durable.
Full depth repair
A full-depth driveway pothole repair is disruptive but more effective. Your driveway is stripped back to a level layer before the new tarmac is applied.
What to do if you find a pothole
The best way to improve Britain’s roads is to report potholes whenever you see them. There are plenty of ways you can report a problem, including:
- The National Highways website
- The Fix My Street website
- Using a postcode
- Apps like Stan
- Local council website, app, or helpline
Pothole repair services in the Northwest
Potholes can be a nightmare, but our safe, speedy pothole repair service will soon correct any defects. Contact us today because the faster you find them, the faster we can fix them.