Essex spends big on pothole repairs - £43m already used

Essex is leading the charge on road repairs, with new figures showing the county has the largest pothole repair budget in the UK - and has already spent 60% of it. 

According to the newly released UK pothole index 2025, compiled by First Response Finance, Essex County Council was allocated a massive £72 million for road infrastructure repairs this year - more than any other local authority in Britain. 

And it's not sitting on the cash. In the first six months of 2025 alone, Essex has already spent £43.3 million fixing potholes and road defects, putting it well ahead of every other council in terms of investment.

The level of investment comes in response to a stark rise in pothole numbers across Essex. Between 2022 and 2024, the county saw a 162% increase in reported potholes - the highest surge of any council in the UK. 

Jonathan, Motoring Expert at First Response Finance, comments: 

"With the pothole issue escalating fast in Essex over recent years, the council appears to be doing what it can to tackle the problem head-on. 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)