The number of potholes on Northern Ireland roads in 2023 has been recorded as 110,023, which is up 9% on the previous year, according to government data analysed by CompareNI.com.
And the worst council area was Newry, Mourne & Down (20,080 potholes), followed by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (12,986), Belfast (12,726), Derry City & Strabane (10,882) and Mid Ulster (10,871).
Areas with the least potholes include Castlereagh & Lisburn (4,998), Ards and North Down (5,757) and Causeway Coast & Glens (6,442).
The survey by CompareNI.com found that 91% of drivers in Northern Ireland have issues with potholes in their area, while 94% of respondents believe not enough is being done about the defects and 96% said they weren’t fixed quickly enough.
The government statistics show that of the 138,464 surface defects recorded on Northern Ireland roads in 2023, potholes accounted for 79% of them.
According to the data, 78% of all recorded potholes were repaired, but over a third (41%) took up to six weeks to be fixed.
The increase in potholes in the north - which it could reportedly cost close to £50m to fully repair and which had led to almost as much in compensation for motorists - has largely been attributed to a lack of adequate funding from the government.
Although the majority of reported potholes are repaired by the council, cheaper insufficient materials are reportedly being used to cut costs, meaning the repairs are often only a temporary solution.
And with more bad weather to come this winter, and the cost-of-living crisis pushing car insurance premiums higher, CompareNI say motorists run an increased risk of costly incidents if potholes continue to increase.
Ian Wilson, managing director of CompareNI.com, said: “With the cost-of-living crisis pushing insurance premiums and fuel prices up, costly damage to vehicles due to potholes is the last thing drivers here need.
“Unfortunately, potholes are a continuous problem and the ongoing weather conditions, and lack of adequate funding can be very frustrating for many drivers on our roads.
“Not only can potholes cause serious damage to vehicles, but they also increase the risk of accidents and make the roads more dangerous for drivers.
“Pothole related damage to vehicles is becoming more expensive as parts, paint and repair costs all soar, meaning drivers are having to lose their no claims bonus to claim for repairs. It’s one of the key reasons that car insurance costs are on the rise, a surge in claims is escalating insurance premiums right across the UK.”
Drivers who experience damage from potholes can also contact the Department for Infrastructure and appeal for compensation if they have evidence the damage caused is related to a pothole.
