Stoke-on-Trent City Council has received more than 1,500 complaints from residents reporting pothole-related vehicle damage since 2022. 

Data obtained by Personal Injury Claims UK through a Freedom of Information request reveals that the council handled 1,594 pothole claims between 2022 and August 2025. 

The year 2023 saw the highest volume of claims, with 485 logged, and recorded the largest compensation payout of £86,678. 

Over this period, the council paid out a total of £231,723 worth of compensation to successful claimants. 

JF Law solicitor Patrick Mallon said: "Road surfaces across the UK are increasingly struggling to cope with extreme weather and heavy traffic.

"Potholes that seem small can cause significant damage, from punctured tyres and bent wheels to dangerous collisions for cyclists and motorcyclists. 

"It's essential that road defects are repaired quickly to prevent avoidable injuries and expensive repair bills for motorists." 

It was also revealed that as of 15 August 2025 there were 2,100 unfixed potholes under the council authority and the council's spending on reactive maintenance, which is largely pothole repairs but includes other expenses such as footpath and street bollard repair, has decreased from £2,193,000 in 2022/23 to £1,960,000 in 2024/25. 

Stoke-on-Trent City Council reactive mainenance spending (image via PersonalInjuryClaimsUK.org.uk)

"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."

Personal Injury Claims UK aims to support to those who may have suffered harm as a result of potholes and help them to see if they have grounds to submit a claim.