More potholes were filled across Staffordshire last year than in any of the previous four years, according to new figures released by Staffordshire County Council. But as any local motorist knows, the data only tells part of the story.
A total of 37,000 potholes were repaired in 2024/25, following one of the wettest winters in over a century. The council says the improvement has been made possible by new equipment, including the JCB Pothole Pro, and a focus on both reactive repairs and preventative maintenance. Artificial intelligence is now being used to monitor the condition of the county’s 4,000-mile road network, helping to build a fuller picture of where work is needed.
It’s a promising headline. But how does that stack up to the reality of driving around Stone, Yarnfield, Swynnerton or along the A34?
“It’s our top priority too”
Councillor Peter Mason, Staffordshire’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, welcomed the transparency of the new reporting.
“Residents have told me time and again that the condition of their local roads is one of their top priorities, and it’s our top priority too.”
He added that while there has been progress, “highways in Staffordshire are underfunded”, and urged the government to ensure the county receives appropriate financial support.
The council’s ReportIt tool remains the primary way to report new defects, and the pothole repair dashboard can now be explored by the public.
Stats vs lived experience
Despite the positive data, social media in Stone continues to reflect a very different picture. Residents regularly deep potholes that damage tyres and test suspensions, blocked drains and poorly resurfaced roads. Many feel that certain problem areas seem to get patched repeatedly without long-term solutions.
Preventative maintenance, treating roads before problems appear, is a major part of the council’s strategy. According to their figures, more than 60 miles of road surface have already been dressed in the early part of the year. This includes full-length repairs and new top layers, which can extend a road’s lifespan by up to 15 years.
Have your say
We want to hear from you. Do the figures match what you’re seeing around the one-way system, The A34, or the rural routes heading out of Stone?
• Are things improving?
• Which local roads still need urgent attention?
• Have you reported an issue and seen it fixed?
Let us know in the comments or tag us in your road photos. We’ll continue to follow up on your feedback and bring it to the attention of those in charge.
Find out more
To report a pothole or defect, head to the County Council’s dedicated ReportIt page.
You can also watch their explainer video on road repairs for more on how the process works.
1 comment
Louise
I have logged many potholes using the Report it tool, to absolutely no avail, including those on the one way system around Stone, in particular the road next to the Crown & Anchor which is now in a terrible almost impassible condition,
In desperation, I have even written to our MP Gavin Williamson who’s only response has been to “chase the Council”. It seems they are above any challenge or questioning, even from an MP.
I feel I have wasted enough of my time trying to progress the issue at what I thought would be the highest level. Clearly I don’t understand the politics or how to work with it, short of a letter or petition to the PM I’m not sure where else to go?!