Our Highways team inspect all roads and footpaths for damage on a regular basis. This means we are out and about around the borough monitoring the state of the roads on a regular basis, and we have plans in place to address road problems throughout the year.
We take a risk-based approach to decide whether to take action to repair a pothole, and what action to take.
The level of risk from a pothole depends on:
- its depth
- its surface area
- safety of road users
- location and usage of the road
How and when to report a pothole
Potholes on major trunk roads
The A421 is managed by National Highways. Please report potholes on these roads to National Highways by calling 0300 123 5000 or by email info@nationalhighways.co.uk
Dangerous potholes
If you believe the pothole to be an immediate and critical risk, please report it to us immediately by calling our Highways team. Only genuinely dangerous potholes should be reported in this way. This is to help us prioritise the safety of our roads.
Find out how to report potholes that aren’t immediately dangerous below.
To report other potholes
The quickest and easiest way to report a pothole that is not immediately dangerous / located on the A421 (see above) is to use the online form below, it should take no more than 3 to 4 minutes.
When completing the online form, please give as much detail as possible about the location and size of the pothole.
- Locate the pothole on the map carefully, try to get it as close to the pothole’s precise location as possible.
- Describe the location in as much detail as possible, for example, tell us which landmark or shop it is close to.
- If safe to do so, use ‘what three words’ to describe the location.
The more detail we have about the location, the quicker we can start our investigation.
By submitting the form you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.
Use the button to report as a guest:
Report a pothole
Alternatively, login to / register for a Council Services account to report a pothole.
What happens next?
Once we have received your report we will:
- Inspect the road within 7 days. This allows us to determine what action we will take, taking account of the pothole's size, depth, type, position and the volume of traffic on the road.
- If the pothole is dangerous, we will repair it within 24 hours of the inspection. Wherever possible this will be a permanent repair, but it may be a temporary repair which will usually be replaced by a permanent one within 8 weeks, or 12 weeks if a road closure is required.
- If the pothole is identified as needing repair but does not pose an immediate safety concern, we will monitor it / add it to our programme of work. This means we repair our roads in the most efficient, ‘value for money’ way by undertaking related work at the same time.
- If, following our inspection, we decide the pothole does not need repair, we will monitor it over time as part of our routine inspection programme.