Claims linked to pothole damage in Northern Ireland have increased by more than 600% over the past five years, according to figures presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The BBC reports that the numbers were raised during a plenary session on Monday, October 13, by DUP MLA for Newry and Armagh, Gareth Wilson.

Key points

  • Claims rise — pothole-related claims increased from 237 in 2021/22 to 1,687 in 2025/26, a rise of over 600%.
  • Regional concentration — more than one in four claims in the last financial year came from the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area alone.
  • Public liability spend — expenditure on public liability claims has exceeded £4.4 million over five years across the ABC East and West Roads Division.

Wilson told the Assembly that the figures were "concerning" and that the issue was "spiralling" in the borough. He said the public liability spend came from the "public purse" and argued that the money could be "better directed" towards public services and infrastructure investment.

The MLA also challenged Infrastructure Minister Kimmins, saying: "The Minister cannot simply point to historic difficulties while conditions continue to worsen under her watch." He added that he knew of motorists left stranded at the roadside and one who paid £7,000 to repair vehicle damage, despite having reported defects through the Department's own system.

Concluding, Wilson said: "£4.4 million would fix a lot of roads" and called on the Minister to "get to grips" with the issue.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

For drivers in Northern Ireland, the figures highlight the ongoing risk of vehicle damage from potholes and the potential difficulty in securing compensation. While the Minister has not announced any new measures, motorists should continue to report defects and keep records of any damage and repair costs.

  • Report defects — logging potholes through the Department's reporting system creates a record that may support a claim.
  • Keep evidence — photographs, repair bills and correspondence can help if you pursue compensation.
  • Budget for repairs — with claims rising, the cost of fixing pothole damage may fall on drivers in the short term.