Hertfordshire County Council repaired 16,453 potholes between January and the end of May, the highest number ever recorded for that period, as crews tackled widespread damage caused by one of the most challenging winters in recent years. The council’s highways teams also carried out 34 gritting runs, covering roughly 85,000 kilometres of road network during the season, according to a council press release.
Executive Member for Highways Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE said the new administration responded to severe and changeable weather in its first full winter. The Met Office confirmed England received around 42 per cent more rainfall than usual between December 2025 and February 2026, and the council explained that water entering cracks, freezing, expanding and weakening the road structure is widely recognised as a key cause of potholes.
The pressure on local roads has been building for some time. In the first four months of 2026, crews fixed 15,102 potholes — a 12.6 per cent rise on the same period in 2025. Then in March 2026, a court ordered the council to repair defects on three roads in Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead after resident Derek Bennett used Section 56 of the Highways Act 1980 to compel action. Bennett returned to court in May for further enforcement, reflecting wider frustration with road conditions.
Contractor Ringway delivers the council’s maintenance programme, which this financial year is backed by £107 million. More than 1,000 schemes are planned, including resurfacing, surface dressing, bridge refurbishments and traffic signal upgrades. The council said it is using new technology to fix more defects in a single visit and to spot problems early. Residents can report potholes through the council’s website to help teams respond quickly.
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