Pothole repairs
Pothole repairsThis section explains how we identify and repair potholes and other road defects as part of our wider highway maintenance programme.
Our approach focuses on planned, preventative maintenance to keep roads in good condition, reduce the need for reactive repairs and make the best use of available funding.
Pothole and defect intervention criteria
The tables below explains how we define potholes and other road defects. It also sets out the intervention criteria we use when assessing defects and determining whether repairs are required.
Localised edge deterioration
| Minimum investigatory or definitional threshold | Additional risk or contextual factors considered | Make safe target response time | Permanent repair target response time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 millimeter depth | Strategic route and main distributor | 5 working days | 5 working days where possible, or 20 working days after the defect has been made safe. |
| 100 millimeter depth | Secondary distributor | 5 working days | 5 working days where possible, or 20 working days after the defect has been made safe. |
| 100 millimeter depth | Local access, link and minor roads | 20 working days | 20 working days where possible |
| 150 millimeter depth | Strategic route, main and secondary distributor | 2 hours | 2 hours where possible, or 20 working days after the defect has been made safe. |
| 150 millimeter depth | Local access, link and minor roads | 5 working days | 5 working days where possible, or 20 working days after the defect has been made safe. |
Pothole, depression or hump
| Minimum investigatory or definitional threshold | Additional risk or contextual factors considered | Make safe target response time | Permanent repair target response time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 millimeter depth | Strategic, main and secondary distributor roads with higher-risk defects | 5 working days | 5 working days where possible, or 20 working days after the defect has been made safe. |
| 40 millimeter depth | Strategic, main and secondary distributor roads, local access, link and other minor roads | 20 working days | 20 working days |
| 100 millimeter depth | Strategic, main and secondary distributor roads, local access, link and other minor roads | 2 hours | 2 hours where possible, or 20 working days after the defect has been made safe. |
Cracks, joints and holes between 20mm and 50mm wide
| Minimum investigatory or definitional threshold | Additional risk or contextual factors considered | Make safe target response time | Permanent repair target response time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 millimeter depth | All routes | 20 working days | 20 working days where possible, dependant on engineering requirements. |
Number of potholes filled
We estimate to have filled 32,541 potholes in 2025 to 2026. This split into:
- 22,779 permanent reactive repairs
- 9,762 temporary reactive repairs
Additional information on numbers of potholes resolved, by treatment type
Of the 32,541 potholes we repaired across the highway network, 22,779 of these were repaired using permanent repair methods and 9,762 were made safe using temporary repairs until permanent work could be completed.
In addition to reactive repairs, we carried out 45 planned patching programmes and 47 planned structural maintenance schemes, helping to address defects before they required emergency intervention.
We use a range of repair techniques, including hotbox repairs, jet patching and in-site recycling. While different treatment methods have been used for several years, detailed information on the number of repairs completed by each method has not previously been recorded.
Our new defect management system will allow us to capture this information in future, helping us improve performance monitoring, asset management and reporting.
Pothole pricing
The average cost of a permanent pothole repair in Cumberland is £123, compared with £98 for a temporary repair.
Our large rural geography and limited access to asphalt supplies can increase the cost of carrying out permanent repairs. Longer travel distances and higher transport costs also affect how repairs are delivered across the network.
Although permanent repairs cost more, they provide a longer-lasting solution and help reduce the need for repeat repairs, delivering better value over time.
Defect repair quality
We set requirements for the expected longevity of:
- planned repairs and patching works
- reactive repairs completed using permanent repair methods
We use these longevity requirements when developing our material specifications and repair processes.
We regularly monitor:
- the suitability of the road interventions selected by our workforce and contractors
- the quality of the work delivered
We also systematically record information on the expected and actual longevity of repairs.
Evidence summary
Our rural location means porthole repair costs can vary. Factors such as the defect location, travel distances, weather conditions and material prices can all affect how quickly repairs are carried out and how much they cost.
To make the best use of available funding, we continue to explore new technologies, materials and repair methods. This helps us repair potholes efficiently, deliver value for money and maintain a safe, reliable highway network.
More information about defect repair quality
We use a range of repair methods to make sure potholes and other road defects are repaired in the most effective and efficient way. The repair method we choose depends on factors such as the type of defect, location, traffic levels, weather conditions and available materials.
Our approach includes:
- temporary and permanent repairs using hot-lay and cold-lay materials
- thermal patching, jet patching and hotbox repairs
- in-site recycling and other modern repair techniques
- trials of new materials and products to improve repair durability
- exploring opportunities to reuse materials from previous repairs to reduce waste and support sustainability
By combining innovation, preventative maintenance and modern repair techniques, we aim to:
- extend the life of repairs
- improve the resilience of the highway network
- reduce disruption for road users
- deliver value for money for residents and taxpayers
Public reporting system for defects and other issues
We use reports from the public to help plan inspections and maintenance work, and we tell people the outcome of their reports, including when no action is needed.
Evidence summary
Reports from the public help us identify issues, plan inspections and prioritise maintenance work. Information from people who use the network every day complements our routine inspections and helps us make informed, risk-based decisions about where work is needed.
Tools used for reporting
Residents can report highway issues through Cumberland Council's website, with additional improvements planned for the future.
We are working with mySociety to integrate FixMyStreet with our highways management system. This will give people another easy way to report highway defects and access council services.