POTHOLES in the South West are the most severe in England according to a recent survey. 

The survey of 2,001 UK residents, conducted by Moneybarn Vehicle Finance, showed respondents from the South West of England reported the “most severe” pothole issues in England. 

The participants of “The Pothole Report” were given a scale from one (no potholes) to ten (extremely severe), with 22% answering with an eight and over 18% answering with a ten. 

Participants from the South West also indicated that potholes are not being repaired in a timely manner. Nearly ten percent of respondents said potholes are “never resolved” and a staggering 31.9% said it takes over six months. 

Elsewhere, Sheffield topped the list for UK cities with the most potholes according to respondents, and London at the foot of the list with the fewest - with almost one in ten Londoners reporting potholes are fixed within a week. 

In January 2024, the AA joined forces with JCB, British Cycling and the National Motorcyclists Council to help combat pothole problems across the UK. 

Edmund King, AA President, said: “Last year AA patrols dealt with more than 600,000 pothole-related incidents which on a national scale will have cost drivers almost half a billion pounds. 

“Currently, we often have a vicious circle of: pothole formed; damage caused; pothole patched; pothole reappears with more damage caused - when what we need are more permanent repairs. 

“Potholes are the number one concern for 96% of drivers and can be fatal for those on two wheels so hopefully pressure from the Pothole Partnership will lead to permanent repairs.”