New Freedom of Information data obtained by Confused.com reveals 55,610 potholes were reported to local authorities in the region in 2017/18, and a new scrolling animation highlights just how much of an issue potholes cause for motorists in the West Midlands, as the problem is revealed to stretch almost 2km deep.
The animation also allows users to drill down to specific areas within the West Midlands, and Birmingham comes out on top for having the deepest pothole problem in the region, with almost 14,000 potholes reported in one year, stretching to 545m deep.
Top 5 local authority areas in the West Midlands with the biggest pothole problem in 2017/18, ranked by depth.
Local authority area | No. of potholes reported | Total depth | £ spent on repairs | £ spent on compensation |
Birmingham | 13,630 | 545m | N/A | £9,890 |
Staffordshire | 19,624 | 392m | £7,060 | £186,428 |
Warwickshire | 4,655 | 233m | £15,147 | £45,318 |
Stoke-on-Trent | 4,975 | 199m | £4,934,118 | £13,806 |
Shropshire | 4,500 | 113m | N/A | £9,752 |
“Re-claiming the costs for pothole damage can be confusing for drivers. Many don’t know if it’s best to claim from your insurer, or from the council. To help clear this confusion, drivers looking to claim for pothole damage can find all of the information they need to start the process in our guide.”