Sunderland City Council trials new methods to fix potholes as insurance claims rocket

Sunderland City Council are trialling two new methods to deal with the problem of potholes.

The news comes after recently published data showed in the financial year 2025-26, the Council paid out on 183 insurance claims, totalling £39,822.87.

The figure is the highest number of claims paid since 2018-19 and a huge increase when compared to 2024-25 - when only two claims linked to potholes were paid out totalling £1,071.88.

In a bid to tackle the problem, this week the City Council has commenced two trials with different specialist providers to both repair the potholes and prevent future problems.

Both are part of ongoing work by the council to assess new pothole repair methods and products coming onto the market, and how they could add to current techniques.

Between 1 March and 20 September 2026, 7,586 potholes were repaired in Sunderland and an extra £1m committed to repairs.

Earlier this year, more than 5,000 repairs were completed in just two months, around twice the usual number.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Enforcement, Councillor Bill Blackett said: "As with many other councils, we recognise the frustrations of all highways users when it comes to potholes.

"What we want to make completely clear is that we're not standing still. As well as getting on with thousands of repairs, we're actively exploring different approaches and technologies for tackling potholes.

"It’s important that we keep looking at innovations, new technology and establish whether they can give us more resilient repairs and better value for the city.

"The trials this week will give us more of an idea of what's on the market, whether they're suitable, and over the wetter and colder winter months we can monitor the trials and then make further decisions."

The first of the trials has been taking place in the Tunstall and Humbledon ward and a second trial will be in the Washington West ward. The trials involve different materials, such as fixes with a higher recycled rubber content, and different application methods.

Like many highway authorities, Sunderland has in recent years experienced an increase in potholes and reports of road defects. Damage can be caused by a combination of factors including severe wet weather and the age and condition of the highways network.

The City Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Local Government Efficiency, Councillor Andrew Ramsey said: "We do want to see if we can get more ahead of the curve on pothole repairs. We recognise the frustration that everybody feels and we want to see if we can be more proactive instead of reactive, especially if we can reduce the chances of having to go back to existing potholes."

Trials will be evaluated in the coming weeks and months as wetter, colder weather and frosts put road surfaces under greater pressure.

Cllr Blackett added: "Just as importantly, we're working with other councils and asking central Government about more resources on looking after and caring for our highways network."

The council expects to spend nearly £10m on highways maintenance in the current financial year, including resurfacing around 17 miles of the highways network.

You can report pothole concerns to the council via the Council’s website at https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/potholes