Breakdowns and accidents from potholes hit a five-year high in September as the return of wet weather saw drivers fall foul of deteriorating road surfaces.

Last month was the worst September since 2018 for pothole-related breakdowns

Despite a dry start to September, AA patrols attended 47,223 pothole-related incidents last month; up 10% from September 2021 (42,152) and the worst September since 2018.

While councils would have been hoping to make the most of the warm and sunny start to September to fill in as many potholes as possible, using some of their share of the £700m Pothole Fund, the return of the wet weather put paid to those plans.

So far in 2023, the AA has attended 458,391 pothole-related incidents, an average of 50,992 per month – putting this year on target to exceed 2019’s total (550,876) and indicating that much more is needed to get local roads back up to scratch.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said the rise shows the extra funding promised from some of the savings from HS2 was “desperately needed to address the pothole plague”.

“The trend of pothole-related breakdowns continues to head in the wrong direction and 2023 still looks to be one of the worst years on record for pothole damage, again highlighting the need for more investment in local roads maintenance funding stronger than ever,” he commented.

“We know that longer-term funding has been pledged from HS2 savings but the Chancellor has the opportunity to give some short-term pothole relief by announcing more cash for roads in his Autumn Statement.”

Cousens also warned again of the heightened risks from potholes to those on two wheels. Potholes are potentially damaging for all vehicles, but for bicycles and motorbikes they pose even more of a threat; causing riders to fall or make sudden movements.

Data revealed by the AA back in 2018 shows crashes resulting in injury and caused by a poor road surface are three times more likely to involve a cyclist or biker than all crashes.

Cousens added: “There is a financial cost to vehicles damaged by potholes but there can be a cost in lives for those on two wheels damaged by potholes.”