FOI reveals a chasm forming between the number of potholes reported and those repaired in borough of London.
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An exclusive investigation as a result of a Freedom of Information Request carried out by City News reveals an increase in potholes across London boroughs in the past two years.
Beril Hassan and Callum Mcculloch
Figures obtained through the FOI show that despite an increase in the number of potholes being reported, the number being repaired has decreased. In total, across North London boroughs, there has been an 8% increase in potholes being reported and a 2% decrease in potholes being repaired.
The borough of Barnet had 17500 potholes reported in 2015/16 and only repaired 1161. Two years later there were 1139 reported and only 1104 repaired – a difference of 21 potholes repaired between the two years. However, the figures show that Barnet council has spent 7% less on repairing the roads.
Hackney borough shows an increase of 5 potholes reported between 2015/16 and 2016/17. However Haringey borough seems to be tackling the problem better than most with 1176 being reported in 2015/16 decreasing to 713 in 2016/17.
In addition the FOI reveals that the amount of compensation the boroughs are required to pay out to road users for damaged vehicles and injury has rapidly decreased.
Despite Camden showing a 182% increase in potholes reported the amount of compensation paid out dipped from £163,927 in 2015/16 to £27,653 in 2016/17.
Barnet council paid out £464,466 in compensation for the potholes on their roads in 2015/16. However despite only a 3% decrease in the number of potholes being reported the compensation awarded more than halved in two years at £240,381 in 2016/17.
Tower Hamlets compensation to road users in 2015/16 was £1813.65 yet in 2016/17 the FOI reveals that there was no compensation paid out at all. However there were still 149 potholes reported in the borough in 2015/16.
Our findings coincide with the publication of the Annual Local Road Maintenance Survey 2018, provided by the Asphalt Industry Alliance. The report suggests that it would now take nine years to clear the backlog of potholes in London.
Short HeadlineCity News reveals London's pothole problems
Standfirst
An exclusive investigation as a result of a Freedom of Information Request carried out by City News reveals an increase in potholes across London boroughs in the past two years.
Beril Hassan and Callum Mcculloch
Figures obtained through the FOI show that despite an increase in the number of potholes being reported, the number being repaired has decreased. In total, across North London boroughs, there has been an 8% increase in potholes being reported and a 2% decrease in potholes being repaired.
The borough of Barnet had 17500 potholes reported in 2015/16 and only repaired 1161. Two years later there were 1139 reported and only 1104 repaired – a difference of 21 potholes repaired between the two years. However, the figures show that Barnet council has spent 7% less on repairing the roads.
Hackney borough shows an increase of 5 potholes reported between 2015/16 and 2016/17. However Haringey borough seems to be tackling the problem better than most with 1176 being reported in 2015/16 decreasing to 713 in 2016/17.
In addition the FOI reveals that the amount of compensation the boroughs are required to pay out to road users for damaged vehicles and injury has rapidly decreased.
Despite Camden showing a 182% increase in potholes reported the amount of compensation paid out dipped from £163,927 in 2015/16 to £27,653 in 2016/17.
Barnet council paid out £464,466 in compensation for the potholes on their roads in 2015/16. However despite only a 3% decrease in the number of potholes being reported the compensation awarded more than halved in two years at £240,381 in 2016/17.
Tower Hamlets compensation to road users in 2015/16 was £1813.65 yet in 2016/17 the FOI reveals that there was no compensation paid out at all. However there were still 149 potholes reported in the borough in 2015/16.
Our findings coincide with the publication of the Annual Local Road Maintenance Survey 2018, provided by the Asphalt Industry Alliance. The report suggests that it would now take nine years to clear the backlog of potholes in London.
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