POTHOLE reports in Essex have fallen drastically following major investment in the county’s road network claims Essex Council.

759 pothole reports were made through the Tell Us webpage in June 2025, the lowest number since 2022.

This follows a continuous reduction from 1,637 in January 2025, 4,049 in January 2024 and 5,033 in January 2023.

The trend follows the £25 million Priority One programme launched by Essex County Council in August 2024 to target issues specifically reported by residents in every district, city and borough.

Priority One was part of the £37 million additional investment into Essex Highways for 2024/25 on top of the normal maintenance budget, resulting in an extra:

• 128 roads resurfaced
• 824 drainage clearances
• 582 vegetation clearances
• 446 signage and bollard repairs
• 30 drainage repairs

The Members’ Highways Initiative, also part of the £37 million investment, gives every Essex County Councillor a dedicated highways crew to prioritise local issues. This has resulted in:

• 8,000 carriageway defect repairs, such as potholes and surface damage
• 6,000 footway repairs, including kerbs and paving issues
• Replacing or repairing bollards, signs, pedestrian guard rails and surface covers

Further investment into Essex’s roads will continue in 2025/26 on top of the annual maintenance budget.    

The decline in pothole reports also coincides with improvements to the online reporting system, Tell Us: https://www.essexhighways.org/tell-us

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “The results show our investment is making a real difference. Residents wanted action, and we’re delivering.

“Under Priority One, 128 road schemes were completed in just eight months, improving 400,000 square metres of road. Additional maintenance will continue in 2025/26 alongside regular repairs.

“The Members’ Highways Initiative also continues this year. In 2024, it delivered over 15,000 repairs, including 8,000 carriageway and 6,000 footway fixes.

“We are committed to building on this success. Progress is being made and we plan to keep it going.”