Britain’s roads are facing what many motorists now describe as a ‘pothole plague’, and the problem appears to be getting worse, according to a report by British motoring organisation, the RAC.

The UK is believed to have more than one million potholes scattered across its road network. These road defects are now one of the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns, damaging tyres, suspension systems and wheels.

In response, the Government has allocated £1.6 billion to help tackle the issue through to the end of 2026. However, many motorists say the pace of repairs is still not keeping up with the scale of the problem.

Recent figures from the RAC suggest 2026 has already been particularly challenging for drivers. Heavy rainfall has led to a sharp rise in pothole related incidents, with many defects hidden beneath standing water and puddles.

In February alone, drivers reported pothole related problems to the RAC an average of 225 times a day. That figure is more than three times higher than the same month the previous year. A total of 6,290 drivers mentioned potholes when logging breakdowns in February, compared with 1,842 during the same month in 2025.

January also saw a sharp rise in incidents, with 5,106 reports. Combined, this means drivers reported 11,396 pothole related issues during the first two months of 2026, averaging 193 reports a day.

Over the course of 2025, RAC patrols attended 26,048 breakdowns linked to vehicle damage such as broken suspension springs, damaged shock absorbers or distorted wheels. These types of faults are commonly associated with repeated impacts from poor road surfaces.

The financial impact on drivers can also be significant. While a puncture may be relatively inexpensive to fix, more serious repairs can cost up to £590 according to RAC garage data.

At the same time, pothole related compensation claims against councils have surged. Claims rose by 91 percent between 2021 and 2024, reaching more than 53,000 cases.

Despite the increase in claims, success rates remain low. Only around 26 percent of claims were paid out in 2024, with councils rejecting the vast majority.

Experts say the key to solving the problem lies not only in repairing potholes but also preventing them in the first place. Improving drainage, sealing road surfaces and carrying out preventative maintenance could all help reduce the number of potholes forming in the future. Until then, Britain’s pothole problem looks set to remain a frustrating and costly issue for drivers nationwide.