Pothole Claims 2021-2026

In a paper produced by local Liberal Democrats it was stated that the council paid out £3.5million to owners of vehicles damaged by potholes on Lincolnshire roads.

1) Does LCC recognize this figure of £3.5m and if so between which dates was this paid out?

2) How many potholes were repaired in:

a) 2021-2022

b) 2022-2023

c) 2023-2024

d) 2024-2025

e) 2025-2026 so far/up to a specified date

3) How much has been spent repairing potholes in:

a) 2021-2022

b) 2022-2023

c) 2023-2024

d) 2024-2025

e) 2025-2026 so far/up to a specified date

4) How much have drivers CLAIMED for damage to their vehicles as a result of potholes in:

a) 2021-2022

b) 2022-2023

c) 2023-2024

d) 2024-2025

e) 2025-2026 so far/up to a specified date

5) How much has the council PAID in compensation to drivers who experienced damage to their vehicles as a result of potholes in:

a) 2021-2022

b) 2022-2023

c) 2023-2024

d) 2024-2025

e) 2025-2026 so far/up to a specified date

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. 

1) We are unable to confirm from our data where this figure has been obtained.

Q2. (a-e)

Please note:

The dates provided relate to the financial year (April to March).

Data for the 2025–2026 period has been included up to 24 February 2025.

The number of pothole jobs completed above relates specifically to pothole jobs raised. However, this does not include additional potholes that may have been repaired through other works carried out by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC on the carriageways during each year, such as whole carriageway resurfacing, carriageway patching and other carriageway minor works.

Q3.LCC does not record the cost of individual pothole repairs. We follow a risk-based approach, as set out in our Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan, which requires pothole repairs to be carried out at differing response times depending on the level of risk to the public. Each of these repair times has a separate price and the number of repairs in each category can vary greatly. It is not possible to give exact expenditure as LCC operates a complete reactive service and costs are not separated into carriageway pothole repairs only. The Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan can be found here: Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan.

4a) 2021-2022 - £870,439.72

b) 2022-2023 - £786,383.76

c) 2023-2024 - £1,256,919.48

d) 2024-2025 - £919,691.54

e) 2025-2026 so far/up to a specified date - £468,021.18

5a) 2021-2022 - £84,532.23

b) 2022-2023 - £79,768.80

c) 2023-2024 - £67,986.32

d) 2024-2025 - £57,996.62

e) 2025-2026 so far/up to a specified date - £11,093.90