Pothole Emergency in Wiltshire!
Wiltshire’s roads are taking a serious beating from crazy wet weather. Non-stop rain this year has caused a spike in potholes – those annoying craters that wreck bike tires and damage cars. Here’s what’s happening and how the council is responding.
Why Are Roads Falling Apart?
Constant heavy rain has soaked roads daily in 2025, making surfaces weak and crumbly. Councillor Martin Smith, Wiltshire’s highways boss, explained: “This relentless weather is destroying our roads. We’ve seen way more potholes popping up across the county.”
Repair Squad in Overdrive
The council’s maintenance teams are working overtime to fix the problem:
- Over 2,700 potholes patched already this year
- 18 Parish Stewards (local repair experts) pulled off other tasks to focus ONLY on potholes
- More repairs happening every single day
Meet the Pothole Patrol
Those 18 redeployed stewards usually handle small local jobs like clearing drains or trimming hedges. For now, they’re dedicated to fixing road surfaces in their specific community zones. This special task force accelerates repairs in neighborhoods across Wiltshire.
How Potholes Get Fixed
Not all potholes are equal! When you report one, it gets ranked by urgency:
- 🚨 Priority 1 (Dangerous/deep holes): Fixed within 24 hours
- ⚠️ Priority 2: Repaired within 2 weeks
- ✅ Priority 3: Fixed within 28 days
With over 5,000 miles of local roads to maintain (not counting major highways), this system helps them tackle the worst first.
Future-Proofing Our Roads
Despite progress last year (28% fewer potholes than 2024!), the storms revealed bigger challenges. Wiltshire is investing an extra £5 million over three years for preventative repairs – that’s on top of government funding. “This cash injection is crucial,” says Cllr Smith. “It’s the only way to build roads that can survive our wild weather.”
Your Part: Report That Pothole!
Spotted a pothole? Report it through the MyWilts app! Your reports help crews identify and fix issues faster. The more locals report, the quicker Wiltshire’s roads get smoother and safer for everyone.
Image Credit: www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk
