Cornwall Council Faces Over 1,200 Pothole Claims as Repair Spending Drops

Cornwall Council has faced more than 1,200 pothole-related claims since 2022, paying out over £18,000 in compensation, according to new figures obtained by Personal Injury Claims UK.

Rising Claims, Falling Spending

Between 2022 and 2025, the council received 1,212 pothole-related claims. The highest number came in 2023/24 with 491 cases, while the largest single-year payout totalled £6,500 in 2024/25.

Despite the growing problem, the council’s pothole repair spending has fallen from £2,841,547 in 2023/24 to £2,619,346 in 2024/25.

Dangerous Defects

Patrick Mallon, a solicitor at JF Law, said: “Across the UK, we’ve seen a sharp increase in the number of potholes damaging roads and highways, particularly in the colder, wetter months.

“These defects might appear minor at first glance, but they can cause significant damage to vehicles, costing hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds to repair. In some cases, particularly for motorcyclists or cyclists, potholes can even lead to serious accidents and injuries.”

Potholes are formed when water seeps into cracks in the road surface. The expansion and contraction of the water, combined with traffic stress, breaks down the pavement. Poor drainage, old or poorly laid asphalt, and utility damage can accelerate the process.

Across the UK, around 15 people each month are killed or left with life-changing injuries in crashes linked to poor road conditions.

National Picture

The UK is thought to have over one million potholes, and the Government has allocated £1.6 billion to tackle the issue until the end of 2026.

According to the RAC Pothole Index, there are an estimated six potholes per mile on council-controlled roads in England and Wales. Over the 12 months to September 2025, the RAC dealt with 25,758 pothole-related breakdowns, an 11% rise on the previous year. On average, that’s 71 a day.

In 2024, The Daily Mail reported that the cost of repairing vehicles damaged by potholes reached a record £579 million.

Local Hazards

As of 15th August 2025, Cornwall Council had 72 potholes logged as unfixed. The highest number of these was in St Agnes and Perranporth, with a combined total of 25.

Patrick added: “Local councils are legally responsible for maintaining safe roads under the Highways Act 1980, which means they must inspect and repair road surfaces within a reasonable time frame. When they fail to do so, and that neglect results in vehicle damage or injury, motorists are entitled to seek compensation.

“Many councils are working with limited resources, leading to delays in identifying and fixing these hazards, and that’s contributing to the steady rise in pothole-related incidents we’re now seeing nationwide.

“Submitting a claim not only helps recover your repair costs but also puts pressure on local authorities to address recurring problem areas more effectively.”

Support for Motorists

Personal Injury Claims UK offers support to anyone who has suffered damage or injury caused by potholes. They operate a 24-hour helpline and provide an online claim form through their website.