The popular UK seaside city with the worst pothole problem in Britain

A popular UK tourist destination may have one of the worst pothole problems in the UK, according to new analysis.

Officials in Plymouth repaired the fewest roads last year with hundreds of miles of damage still outstanding.

Just one mile of roads were fixed in 2024, accounting for 0.7% of the 135 miles identified as potentially needing repairs. 

The Labour-run council now tops the list nationally with the Isle of Wight a close second.

Figures show the island has fixed just 0.1% of the 12.4 miles of minor roads flagged for repairs.

Meanwhile, Conservative-run Norfolk County Council was found to be among one of the best in the UK.

Locals are enjoying super smooth roads with 92% of the 225 miles identified for repair were fixed between 2023//24.

The figures come from Department for Transport (DfT) data analysed by The Telegraph which sheds light on the scale of the issue across the country.

Previous analysis has predicted there are around 11.5million potholes still plaguing Britain’s roads with Government and councils facing a multi-billion pound backlog.

Motoring insurance experts at Allianz have previously admitted that the amount paid out on pothole claims has almost tripled over the past five years.

Total costs are up from £1 million in 2019 to a whopping £2.8 million since January 2024.

The specialists have previously warned the number of pothole-related claims has almost doubled in recent years.

Analysis shows that claims have shot up from 475 in 2019 to a massive 832 cases by November 2024.

Caroline Johnson, claims director at Allianz UK said: “Our roads are blighted by potholes and it is astonishing to see the problems they cause.

“In one in five cases, the damage is so severe and structural that it is not worth the cost of trying to repair the car.”

According to the RAC, roadside patrols went out to a staggering 29,377 breakdowns in 2023 for faults including “broken suspension springs, damaged shock absorbers and distorted wheels.”

Labour has pledged £1.6 billion to fix pothole-damaged routes across the UK.

Three-quarters of the bill is being handed to local authorities with the rest held back by the Government to distribute to councils showing proof of road repairs.

Last month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Britain’s roads are in a shocking state. Drivers across the country face a daily dodge, weaving their car through countless potholes.

“Forking out hundreds and even thousands of pounds to repair the damage done to their cars.”

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2000054/pothole-road-damage-plymouth-uk