The rise in temperatures this summer has led to a spike in pothole-related incidents up and down the country, according to new figures from The AA.
July’s AA Pothole Index revealed the roadside assistance provider was called out to more than 2% more breakdowns involving a pothole than the same time last year.
The AA attributes the jump in incidents to the increased number of road trips, and the impact of higher temperatures on worn tyres and damaged road surfaces.
The index shows that there were 49,081 pothole-related incidents in July 2024 and 50,091 in July 2025 – a 2.05% increase.
Despite the July spike, the index shows that the number of incidents between January and July 2025 (380,569) were down by 7.65 when compared with the same period last year (351,445).
The reduction in the number of incidents involving potholes during the first half of the year was due to the impact of more extensive road repairs and increased financial support, according to The AA.
The Pothole Partnership, an alliance including The AA, JCB, British Cycling, and the National Motorcyclists Council, warned the combined impact of extreme weather and neglected infrastructure places all road users at heightened risk.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: ‘Councils take their responsibilities to maintain and upkeep roads seriously. As changing weather patterns impact roads, local government seeks to innovate and find new ways to respond to the issue.’
They continued: ‘Greater long term funding certainty, with local roads receiving a fairer share of the £24bn roads fund over the next five years, will enable councils to invest in more preventative treatments. This is needed if we are to begin making headway with the £16.8bn local roads repair backlog.’
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