Wiltshire Council pays £600,000 in pothole compensation

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

Wiltshire Council has paid £600,000 in pothole compensation in the last three years, according to recently released stats.

Data obtained by Personal Injury Claims UK via a Freedom of Information request shows that the council has received 3,220 pothole-related claims since 2022.

The highest number of claims occurred in 2023/24 when 1,662 cases were submitted, also marking the year with the largest pay-out.

In 2022/3 the council settled 688 claims to the tune of £145,550. In 2023/4 £336,402 was paid in compensation against 1662 claims. And in 2024/5, 870 claims cost the council £133,644.

Wiltshire Council has attempted to address this issue over the past three years, following an increase in its pothole repair spending, from £18,797,627 in 2022/23 and £23,225,866 in 2023/4 to £34,893,749 in 2024/25.

Across the UK, potholes remain one of the most persistent and costly road hazards. It’s estimated that there are over one million potholes nationwide, with the Government allocating £1.6 billion to repair damaged roads through to the end of 2026.

Cllr Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for highways, said, “There are many factors that affect road condition and the number of pothole reports we receive, the obvious one being the weather. However, we have made significant improvements to the way we maintain and repair roads.

“Our investment in three Bobcat machines has transformed how quickly and effectively we can repair road surfaces, tackling large sections at once and helping to prevent further deterioration. Combined with more resurfacing and surface dressing, this approach is playing a major role in reducing pothole reports across the county.

“We’re committed to a preventative, long-term maintenance programme that provides better value for money and delivers lasting improvements for Wiltshire’s highways.”