Introduction to Potholes in Northern Ireland
Potholes are a persistent and frustrating issue for drivers across Northern Ireland, causing vehicle damage, safety risks, and widespread public discontent. In 2024, the state of NI’s roads remained a major concern, with nearly 107,000 potholes recorded, impacting everyone from daily commuters to vulnerable passengers using community transport services. This blog post provides a detailed analysis of pothole statistics in Northern Ireland for the period April 2023 to March 2024, including regional variations, repair times, costs, and practical steps for drivers. Whether you’re in Belfast, Newry, or rural Mid Ulster, this guide offers insights to navigate and address the pothole problem, optimised for searches like “pothole statistics Northern Ireland 2024” and “NI road defects.”
Why Pothole Statistics Matter
Potholes are more than just a nuisance—they pose significant challenges:
Vehicle Damage: Potholes cause tyre punctures, wheel misalignment, and suspension damage, with an average repair cost of £460 per incident in the UK in 2023.
Safety Risks: Swerving to avoid potholes or hitting them unexpectedly can lead to accidents, endangering drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Economic Impact: Pothole-related damage claims cost Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI) nearly £50 million in recent years, straining public budgets.
Public Frustration: A 2024 CompareNI survey found that 91% of NI drivers have issues with potholes, 94% believe not enough is being done, and 96% say repairs are too slow.
Understanding 2024 pothole statistics helps drivers, councils, and policymakers address this ongoing issue, prioritise funding, and improve road safety.
Pothole Statistics for Northern Ireland: April 2023–March 2024
Based on government data from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and analysis by CompareNI.com, here are the key pothole statistics for Northern Ireland in 2024 (covering April 2023 to March 2024):
Total Potholes Recorded
106,923 potholes were recorded across Northern Ireland’s public road network, a 3% decrease from 110,023 in 2023 but higher than 2022 figures.
Potholes accounted for 79% of 134,108 total road defects, including damaged paving or kerbstones.
Since January 2024, nearly 120,000 road defects (including potholes) were detected, highlighting the ongoing challenge.
Regional Variations
Pothole prevalence varied significantly across NI’s council areas:
Newry, Mourne and Down: Worst-affected with 19,171 potholes, down 4.5% from 20,080 in 2023.
Belfast: Second-highest with 12,840 potholes, a 9% increase from 12,726 in 2023.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon: 11,923 potholes, an 8% decrease from 12,986 in 2023, but still the third-highest area.
Derry City and Strabane: 9,843 potholes, a 9.5% decrease from 10,882 in 2023.
Mid Ulster: 9,714 potholes, up slightly from 10,871 in 2023, driven by rural road deterioration.
Ards and North Down: 7,003 potholes, a significant 22% increase from 5,757 in 2023.
Causeway Coast and Glens: 6,279 potholes, relatively low but up from 6,442 in 2023.
Lisburn and Castlereagh: Fewest potholes with 5,232, a 5% increase from 4,998 in 2023.
Repair Times
Of the 134,108 road defects:
67,513 (50%) were repaired within 5 working days.
57,127 (43%) took 3–4 weeks.
1,285 (1%) took 6 weeks or more.
In 2023, 78% of potholes were repaired, but 41% took 4–6 weeks, indicating slow response times in some areas.
Public Complaints
The DfI received 25,067 pothole complaints in 2023, more than double the 11,608 in 2022, reflecting growing public frustration.
Since the DfI launched its online reporting service in 2015, nearly 120,000 complaints and enquiries have been made about potholes.
Economic Impact
£458 million was spent on NI’s roads in 2023–24, a 3.8% increase from £441 million in 2022–23, with £120 million on structural maintenance (including pothole repairs).
Over the past five years, £500 million has been spent on road repairs, yet Mid Ulster and other areas remain heavily affected.
Pothole damage claims cost nearly £50 million in recent years, with rising repair costs impacting drivers’ insurance premiums.
Why Are Potholes So Prevalent in Northern Ireland?
Several factors contribute to the high number of potholes in 2024:
Weather Conditions: 2023 was the third-wettest year on record in NI, with heavy rain and occasional freeze-thaw cycles exacerbating road surface damage. Water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands, and creates potholes.
Budget Shortfalls: The DfI faces a “challenging budgetary position,” prioritising only “highest priority defects” (e.g., potholes deeper than 50mm). Routine maintenance budgets have not increased in over five years.
Poor Repair Quality: Cheaper materials used for temporary repairs often fail quickly, requiring repeated fixes.
Rural Road Challenges: Rural areas like Mid Ulster and Fermanagh have extensive road networks (60% of journeys in Mid Ulster are rural), which erode faster due to heavy traffic and poor maintenance.
Traffic Volume: High-traffic areas like Belfast and Newry see accelerated road wear, increasing pothole formation.
Impacts of Potholes in Northern Ireland
Vehicle Damage
Potholes cause tyre punctures, wheel misalignment, suspension damage, and steering issues, with repair costs averaging £460 per incident across the UK in 2023.
In 2024, the RAC reported 9,439 pothole-related breakdowns in the UK in Q1 2025, a 19% increase from Q1 2024, with NI contributing significantly.
Drivers often lose their no-claims bonus when claiming repairs, increasing insurance premiums for years.
Safety Concerns
Potholes increase accident risks, especially when drivers swerve or lose control. In Derry, a busy road saw over 400 pothole repairs in 2024, raising safety concerns for parents and schools.
Vulnerable passengers, such as elderly or disabled individuals using community transport in Mid Ulster, face uncomfortable and unsafe journeys due to poor road conditions.
Public Sentiment
A CompareNI survey in January 2024 (500 respondents, 5% margin of error) found:
91% of drivers have pothole issues in their area.
94% believe not enough is being done.
96% say repairs are too slow.
64% want more government funding and staff for road maintenance, 21% seek increased compensation, and 7% support a media campaign like National Pothole Day (January 15).
How to Report a Pothole in Northern Ireland
Reporting potholes is crucial for road safety and prompting repairs. Here’s how:
Online: Use the NI Direct portal (www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/potholes) to report potholes. Include:
Location (e.g., near a junction, specific lane).
Size and depth (e.g., >50mm for priority repairs).
Photos, if safe to take.
Phone: Contact Transport NI at 0300 200 7899 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) for urgent defects.
Local Councils: Some councils, like Belfast City Council (028 9032 0202, City Hall, BT1 5GS, Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM), forward reports to DfI Roads.
Tips:
Note the exact location using a postcode or landmarks.
Use an object (e.g., a water bottle) in photos to show pothole scale.
Check if the road is publicly maintained (private roads are the owner’s responsibility).
How to Claim Compensation for Pothole Damage
If your vehicle is damaged by a pothole, you may claim compensation from the DfI. Here’s how:
Assess Damage:
Stop safely, activate hazard lights, and check for tyre, wheel, or suspension damage.
Note vibrations or pulling, which indicate deeper issues.
Document Evidence:
Take photos of the pothole and damage from multiple angles.
Use an object to show pothole size/depth.
Record the location, direction of travel, date, and time.
Get Repairs:
Visit a garage like A One Tyres (028 9446 3600, 124 Blacks Road, Belfast, BT10 0NF, Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM) or Ryco MOT Centre (028 3026 3222, 37-39 Merchants Quay, Newry, BT35 8HE, Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM).
Request an invoice noting pothole-related damage.
File a Claim:
Download the Vehicle Damage Compensation Claim Form from www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/vehicle-damage-compensation-claim-form.
Submit photos, receipts, estimates, and a sketch of the location to Transport NI (contact details on their website).
Expect a response within 6 months; an investigator may be assigned.
Alternative: Claim through your insurer, but note the excess and potential loss of no-claims bonus.
Tips to Avoid Pothole Damage
Drive Cautiously: Reduce speed in areas known for potholes, like rural Mid Ulster or Newry’s backroads.
Check Tyres Regularly: Visit garages like Lisburn Auto Centre (028 9267 5555, 15A Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2SA, Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM) for wheel alignment and tyre checks.
Report Potholes Promptly: Use the NI Direct portal to report defects, reducing risks for others.
Avoid Wet Weather: Potholes are harder to spot in rain. Check Met Éireann forecasts for NI to plan safer routes.
FAQs About Potholes in Northern Ireland
How many potholes were recorded in NI in 2024?
106,923 potholes were recorded from April 2023 to March 2024, down 3% from 110,023 in 2023.
Which area had the most potholes?
Newry, Mourne and Down had 19,171 potholes, followed by Belfast with 12,840.
How long does it take to repair potholes?
50% are fixed within 5 days, 43% take 3–4 weeks, and 1% take 6 weeks or more.
Can I claim compensation for pothole damage?
Yes, submit a claim to Transport NI with photos, receipts, and a location sketch. Alternatively, claim through insurance but expect an excess and premium increases.
Why are potholes so common in NI?
Heavy rain, freeze-thaw cycles, budget shortfalls, and poor-quality repairs contribute. 2023’s wet weather worsened conditions.
Conclusion: Tackling the Pothole Problem in Northern Ireland
Potholes remain a significant challenge in Northern Ireland, with 106,923 recorded in 2024, driven by wet weather, underfunding, and rural road wear. Areas like Newry, Belfast, and Mid Ulster bear the brunt, while slow repairs and rising damage costs frustrate drivers. By reporting potholes via www.nidirect.gov.uk or contacting Transport NI (0300 200 7899, Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM), you can help improve road safety. For repairs or checks, visit trusted garages like A One Tyres (028 9446 3600, Belfast) or Armagh MOT & Service Centre (028 3752 2222, 58B Hamiltonsbawn Road, BT60 1HW, Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM).
Let’s work together to make NI’s roads safer. Share this guide with fellow drivers, and follow us for more updates on road safety and vehicle maintenance in Northern Ireland!
Call to Action
Report a Pothole: Use www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/potholes or call Transport NI at 0300 200 7899.
Claim Compensation: Download the claim form at www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/vehicle-damage-compensation-claim-form.
Share This Guide: Spread awareness on social media with hashtags like #NIPotholes or #BelfastPotholes.
Contact Us: Have questions about potholes or road safety? Reach out, and we’ll connect you with NI-specific resources!
