Nearly 1,000 drivers made successful pothole damage claims against Stoke-on-Trent City Council over four years – with one receiving almost £46,000 in compensation.

A total of 1,308 compensation claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes on Stoke-on-Trent's roads were made against the city council between 2020 and 2024, of which 978 were successful.

The council has had to pay out £371,914 in compensation over the four years, according to the figures released by the city council following a Freedom of Information request. And the number of successful claims more than doubled from 171 in 2023/24 to 403 in 2023/24, indicating that the problem is getting worse – although the total amount paid out in compensation fell from £77,892 to £41,524.

A total of 1,308 compensation claims were made between 2020 and 2024 (LDRS).

The single biggest compensation award over the period was a whopping £45,915 paid out to one motorist in 2021/22. In responding to the figures, the city council acknowledged the deterioration of Stoke-on-Trent's roads, but insists that work will be carried out to address the problem over the next few years.

A spokesperson for the city council said: "We acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the increase in claims related to pothole damage and the overall condition of Stoke-on-Trent's roads.

"We want to assure all road users we are committed to addressing the challenges faced by our road network. In line with the recent government announcements, there are plans in place to improve the condition of our roads. Specifically, with the proposed funding through Network North and the Local Transport Fund, we anticipate significant enhancements to our network in the coming years.

"These investments will allow us to undertake much-needed repairs, maintenance, and improvements across Stoke-on-Trent, aiming to alleviate the issues that have led to the rise in pothole-related claims. While we acknowledge that there is still work to be done, we are dedicated to ensuring that our road infrastructure meets the highest standards of safety and quality."

Earlier this year the government announced that Stoke-on-Trent would receive £134 million from the Local Transport Fund over seven years, following the cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham. Ministers said local authorities could spend their allocations on various transport improvements, including pothole repairs.

The council reconditioned nearly 50 miles of highway in Stoke-on-Trent between last April and December (Swansway Group).

According to the most recent figures, the city council reconditioned 48.2 miles of highway in Stoke-on-Trent between last April and December, close to the annual target of 50 miles. A council report says that this 'positive outcome' is largely the result of £22 million of extra funding secured for a four-year period from 2020/21, and that the 'ongoing success of this metric is contingent upon the continuation of funding support'.

Ross Irving, councillor for Meir Hay North, Parkhall and Weston Coyney, recently lobbied the council to carry out repairs to a 'dangerous' section of Weston Road in his ward, with work due to start this summer. He said he was not surprised that the number of pothole-related claims was increasing.

He said: "The roads are definitely deteriorating – it's not just a Stoke-on-Trent issue, it's a countrywide issue. Council budgets are tight and that is why the roads are in the state they are in. The council has got this extra funding now, so hopefully it will be directed at repairing the worst roads.

"The issue on Weston Road is the sheer number of HGVs – they're literally pounding the road to pieces. When the resurfacing is carried out it is going to cause traffic problems, but it has to be done.

"I can see why people are making claims for pothole damage. I had to make one myself a few years ago. But the money paid out in compensation could be spent on repairing the roads instead."

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