Potholes
On this page you can find:
What is a pothole?
A pothole is a hole in the road that is deeper than 50mm and 100mm across in two directions at right angles to each other (perpendicular). They are usually formed during the winter months as a direct result of snow, ice and prolonged periods of rain and occur where an area of the road's surface has broken up and fallen out.
This page gives a brief summary in relation to the identification and prioritisation of potholes, for the full Highways Maintenance Policy and General Principles and Highway Maintenance and Inspection Strategies please see our Roads strategies page
Prioritising potholes
We carry out regular inspections of the roads but also rely on the public reporting potholes to us. We inspect all reported potholes and risk assess them to prioritise their repair. They will either be classed as urgent or will be put into a planned programme of works to ensure they are repaired as efficiently as possible. The assessment will take into account many issues including the location of the pothole in the road and the type of vehicle that uses the road such as cars, motorbikes or pedal bikes.
Defect Assessment
Recorded defects are risk assessed during the inspection on a site specific basis. This allows other considerations that the inspector feels relevant to be factored into the risk assessment and is used to determine the level of response.
Risk Factor Score
The risk factor is the combination of consequence and likelihood assessments multiplied together, in that order. This will produce a range of scores from 1 to 25. It is this score that identifies the seriousness of the risk and consequently that appropriate level of response.
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Likelihood
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Rare
(1)
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Unlikely
(2)
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Possible
(3)
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Likely
(4)
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Almost
Certain
(5)
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Consequence
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Insignificant
(1)
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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Minor
(2)
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2
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4
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6
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8
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10
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Moderate
(3)
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3
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6
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9
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12
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15
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Significant
(4)
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4
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8
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12
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16
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20
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Major
(5)
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5
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10
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15
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20
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25
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Programmed repairs
The vast majority of reported defects are not assessed as urgent and are put into a programme of works or identified as observations. Following the risk assessment, the defect will be categorised from Priority 1 (D1) to Priority 3 (D3) or observations. The timescale for the repair depends on the risk assessment and which type of road the pothole is on – County Routes (A, B and some C roads) and Local Routes (majority of C and unclassified roads). View the map at the bottom of this page. County Routes are shown in red and blue on the map.
The table below shows the different classifications of defects and the response time for repair.
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Observations
Score 1-9
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D3
Score 10-16
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D2
Score 20
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D1
Score 25
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Response
Time
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County Route
carriageways
and footways
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To be reviewed at next routine inspection. Only to be considered for repair where sites coincide with locations subject to broader scoped works identified through other Strategies or maintenance initiatives
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90 working days3
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2 whole working days1,2
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2 hours2
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Local Route
carriageways
and footways
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5 whole working days1,2
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Other assets
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If a D2 defect is in the carriageway the response time will be inherited from the carriageway hierarchy D2
If the D2 defect is in the footway the response time will be inherited from the footway hierarchy D2
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1Where an D2 defect is identified, the response time will be whole working days, where the first whole working day will follow the day in which the defect is identified and recorded. This will avoid complicated resource scheduling, thereby achieving better value for Essex residents.
2Where regularity sign defects are identified and recorded as a D1 or D2, these will be made safe through temporary traffic management arrangements where appropriate, such as the deployment of arrow boards, traffic cones and barriers, or any combination of these.
3Defects which are recorded with a score of 15 and/or 16 will be repaired within 90 days.
Where defects are recorded with a score of 10 and/or 12 and there is broader scoped works planned at the location within the next 12 months the defect will be included in that scheme. The defect will continue to be monitored during routine safety inspections and should its priority of response change, then it will follow the process set down for the priority in question. If the planned works are delayed beyond 12 months or if no works are planned the defect will be repaired within 90 working days.
How do I report a pothole?
We are committed to delivering frontline services and putting customers first. If you are concerned about a pothole you can report a pothole to us online.
Important messsage
Whilst we have responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the majority of roads in Essex, including pavements, we are not responsible for:
- Private roads - these are the responsibility of residents or land owner of each private road
- A12, A120 between the M11 junction and Parkeston roundabout in Harwich, M11 and M25 - these are the responsibility of the National Highways, please call 0300 123 5000 or email info@nationalhighways.co.uk
- A130 between the A12 and A1245 - this is the responsibility of CountyRoute.
- The roads within the unitary authorities of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea
Highways network map