Bolton Council spending on pothole repairs decreasing

The amount spent by Bolton Council on repairing potholes has been decreasing every year since 2022.

In 2022/23, the council spent £1,294,134 on repairing potholes – this went down to £964,526 the next year and £741,482 the following year.

Motorists are entitled to claim compensation from the council if their car is damaged by a pothole while driving on a council-maintained road.

In 2022/23, 76 claims were logged with the council paying out a total of £7,654 – this reached a peak of 136 claims for £10,079.21 in 2023/24.

In 2024/25, there were 92 claims and the total compensation paid was £7,301.99.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Our pay out over claims is very low annually, demonstrating that we are proactive on safety inspections and completing repairs in a timely manner.

“The reduction in spend is positive, in that we have fewer potholes forming on our roads due to investment in resurfacing and preventative maintenance.”

Recently extensive work has been taking place to repair roads, including Chorley New Road and Bank Street in the town centre.

The figures were obtained by a Freedom of Information Act request made by Accident Claims Advice.

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Speaking to Accident Claims Advice, JF Law solicitor Patrick Mallon said the scale of the issue is worsening across the country.

He said: “We continue to see a rise in pothole-related incidents, particularly during the winter months. 

“Even a small defect can cause major damage, from burst tyres to cracked wheels and suspension failures.

 “For motorcyclists and cyclists, the risks are even more serious. 

“A sudden impact with a pothole can easily lead to severe injuries or long-term mobility issues.

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“Local councils are legally responsible for maintaining safe roads under the Highways Act 1980, which means they must inspect and repair road surfaces within a reasonable time frame.

“When they fail to do so, and that neglect results in vehicle damage or injury, motorists are entitled to seek compensation.

“Many councils are working with limited resources, leading to delays in identifying and fixing these hazards, and that’s contributing to the steady rise in pothole-related incidents we’re now seeing nationwide.

“Submitting a claim not only helps recover your repair costs but also puts pressure on local authorities to address recurring problem areas more effectively.”