New data has revealed how many potholes have been fixed in Wales over the last year
Potholes can be caused by weather, ageing road surfaces and heavy traffic(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Just over 11,000 potholes have been fixed in Wales over the last year, new data has shown. The Welsh Government said it continues to make “significant progress” in improving the conditions of roads, something First Minister Eluned Morgan has previously said is a priority for her government.
According to Welsh Government data released on Thursday, an estimated 11,250 potholes were fixed on Welsh roads between April 2025 and January 2026. On top of this, just under 186,000 potholes were “prevented”.
The new data comes as drivers and cyclists have expressed anger and frustration at the state of roads in Wales after a very wet winter. The RAC estimates that there around six potholes per mile on council-controlled roads in Wales and England, with drivers who are unlucky enough to hit them facing extra costs at the garage to repair damaged vehicles.
The data also shows that almost 400 miles of road was surfaced during this time.
On the ‘Strategic Road Network’, which refers to the motorways and major A-roads which are the most heavily used part of the road network in Wales, around 1,600 potholes were fixed while over 30,000 were prevented.
At a local level, the Welsh Government’s local government borrowing initiative has allowed councils to fix around 9,600 potholes. The most potholes were fixed on local roads in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, with over 1,500 potholes fixed in each county.
The area with the least potholes on local roads was Merthyr Tydfil, where just 89 were fixed. Blaenau Gwent and Neath Port Talbot followed closely behind on 136 and 138 respectively.
Potholes fixed by area
More than £81m has been spent on road resurfacing on the trunk network by the Welsh Government since 2021. By the end of this Senedd term, that figure is expected to have risen to around £118m.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates, said: “Fixing our roads is a priority. We continue to make significant progress in fixing and preventing potholes on roads across Wales, thanks to the additional funding provided. Some schemes are ongoing, and we remain on schedule to reach our target by the end of the financial year.
“A further update will be provided later this month.”
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