National Pothole Day: Dorset Fills Around 20,000 Road Defects a Year

As National Pothole Day shines a spotlight on the state of Britain’s roads, Dorset Council says it is repairing around 20,000 potholes every year, with a growing emphasis on permanent fixes and long-term resurfacing.

Figures released by the council show that in 2023/2024, teams repaired 10,625 carriageway potholes and 229 footway potholes across the county. In 2024/2025, the numbers remained at a similar level, with 10,492 carriageway potholes and 233 footway potholes fixed.

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Dorset Council says its approach is focused on getting repairs right first time, aiming to permanently fix potholes during the initial visit rather than carrying out temporary patches. This includes repairing the surrounding road surface to reduce the risk of the defect returning.

Priority by Road and Risk

Not all potholes are treated equally. Repairs are prioritised based on:

• Road classification – A-class roads are repaired more quickly than B, C or unclassified roads

• Size and depth of the pothole

• Risk to road users, including cyclists and pedestrians

Urgent defects are dealt with rapidly, while less severe issues are scheduled into planned maintenance programmes.

Investment and Resurfacing

The council says a significant government funding injection in December 2024 has helped accelerate work on Dorset’s roads. Alongside day-to-day pothole repairs, the authority has focused on preventative maintenance.

By April 2025, more than 120 miles of Dorset roads had been resurfaced, a move the council says is key to reducing the number of potholes forming in the first place.

How Residents Can Help

On National Pothole Day, Dorset Council is also reminding residents that reporting defects plays a crucial role in keeping roads safe.

Potholes can be reported:

• Online via the Dorset Council website

• By phone on the 24-hour hotline: 01305 221020 for urgent issues

Council officers say timely reports help inspectors target repairs more efficiently, especially after periods of heavy rain or freezing conditions.

While potholes remain a persistent challenge nationwide, Dorset Council says its combination of permanent repairs, resurfacing and increased investment is helping to keep the county moving—one filled hole at a time.