Potholes are a common problem on UK roads, caused by the wear and tear of heavy traffic and changing weather conditions. These road hazards can cause damage to vehicles, pose a danger to cyclists and pedestrians, and lead to costly repairs for local councils. In this article, we will explore which UK cities have the worst pothole problem.

According to a recent study by the Asphalt Industry Alliance, local authorities in the UK faced a backlog of over 111,000 potholes in 2021, with an estimated cost of £10.24 billion to fix them all. This backlog is a result of years of underfunding and neglect of local road maintenance.

So, which cities in the UK have the worst pothole problem? Here are some of the worst offenders:

1. Birmingham Birmingham has been dubbed the “pothole capital” of the UK, with over 108,000 potholes reported in the city in 2021. This figure is more than double the number reported in any other city in the UK. The city council has faced criticism for its slow response to repairing potholes and for the poor quality of its repairs.
2. Manchester Manchester is another city that has been hit hard by potholes, with over 50,000 reported in 2021. The city council has pledged to invest more in road maintenance, but it will take time to catch up with the backlog of repairs.
3. Liverpool Liverpool has the third-highest number of reported potholes in the UK, with over 42,000 in 2021. The city council has come under fire for its slow response to repairs and for failing to prioritize road maintenance in its budget.
4. Edinburgh Edinburgh has the highest number of reported potholes per capita in the UK, with over 21,000 reported in 2021. The city council has pledged to invest more in road maintenance, but like Manchester, it will take time to catch up with the backlog of repairs.
5. Leeds Leeds rounds out the top five with over 19,000 potholes reported in 2021. The city council has faced criticism for its slow response to repairs and for failing to prioritize road maintenance in its budget.

Other cities that have a significant pothole problem include Bristol, Glasgow, Sheffield, and Cardiff. All of these cities have faced criticism for their slow response to repairs and for failing to invest enough in road maintenance.

In conclusion, potholes are a widespread problem in many UK cities, and local councils must prioritize road maintenance to keep their roads safe and prevent costly damage to vehicles. While many councils have pledged to invest more in road maintenance, it will take time to catch up with the backlog of repairs. In the meantime, drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians must remain vigilant and report any potholes they encounter to their local council.

Image by Bill Kasman from Pixabay