Britain's worst roads revealed: pothole map shows where drivers are most at risk

Drivers in Lincolnshire are facing a pothole nightmare, with nearly 30,000 road defects reported in the first half of the year, making it the worst-hit area in Britain. Other badly affected areas include Kent (25,668), Devon (25,408), and Surrey (20,048).

Data shows that Devon County Council has recorded the highest total number of potholes since 2022, with 160,374 logged over the past three years. This is followed by Surrey (138,159), West Sussex (128,196), and Oxfordshire (102,889), highlighting the scale of the issue across the UK.

The UK pothole index 2025 was compiled by car finance provider First Response Finance to better understand the impact of road conditions on drivers. The report aims to identify which regions are most affected, which councils are investing in repairs, and where road conditions are improving… or deteriorating. 

Essex County Council has the largest road repair budget in the UK for 2025/2026 at £72 million and has already spent 60% of its budget in the first half of the year. Other top investors include Lincolnshire (£65m) and North Yorkshire (£53.4m), while Carmarthenshire has the smallest budget at just £510,000. 

Despite having the largest budget, Essex's roads are getting worse. The council has seen a 162% increase in potholes between 2022 and 2024, while Devon, who has the fourth largest budget, has seen a 160% increase over the same period. Meanwhile, Hertfordshire and Kent have shown improvement, with pothole numbers falling year on year.

Jonathan, Motoring Expert First Response Finance, comments:

"The numbers show how much of an issue potholes are within the UK. Over a quarter of Brits believe potholes in their area are never fixed, and the data backs this up. Only 10% of councils have shown consistent improvement, while 26% have seen pothole numbers rise year on year.

"Maintaining roads isn't just about comfort, it's about safety. Poor road conditions can lead to tyre damage, suspension issues, and even accidents. That's why it's vital for councils to prioritise infrastructure and for drivers to stay informed."

For more information, check out the full pothole index here! 👈

Sources and methodology:

• FOI requests sent to 41 County Councils (30 responses received by August 2025)