Opposition councillors have called for a “pothole emergency” to be declared in Sunderland after rocketing amounts of compensation were paid out to motorists because of damaged vehicles.

Highways claims datapublished on Sunderland City Council’s website shows 183 out of 300 insurance claims were paid out in the 2025-26 financial year – a total of £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.

Sunderland City Council bosses, meanwhile, have stressed they are tackling the issue and have already carried out more repairs this calendar year than throughout 2025.

Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Peacock inspects a pothole in his Doxford Park ward.

placeholder image — Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Peacock inspects a pothole in his Doxford Park ward.

This includes 12,805 potholes being repaired from the start of January to September 20 compared to 10,736 repairs over the previous 12-month period.

Yet Wearside Liberal Democrats have called for a “common-sense approach” to fixing potholes before they meet the council’s strict criteria, which they said would help bring down insurance claims and reduce damage to vehicles.

Councillor Michael Peacock, Liberal Democrat councillor for Doxford Park, said the party is calling for a “pothole emergency” as motorists across Sunderland are “sick of the state of our roads”.

He said: “I’ve spoken to residents facing repair bills running into hundreds of pounds because of pothole damage.

“That’s an unfair price to pay just to get to work, or to visit friends and family.

“In recent months, requests for pothole repairs have been refused due to costs or because they do not meet the council’s definition of ‘urgent’.

“Recently, badly needed resurfacing works had been delayed over the summer, and when pothole repairs are made it’s often poor quality patch and fix work.”

Councillor Bill Blackett, Reform UK cabinet member for environment, transport and enforcement on the council, said increased reports of potholes were linked to severe wet weather earlier this year.

He confirmed that “extra resources have been diverted to resolving this, including a further £1 million for highways and pothole repairs as part of this year’s budget”.

Cllr Blackett added: “The council follows the relevant national code of practice and uses a risk-based approach when deciding whether potholes should be repaired, considering the depth, area and location of any defects in the highway.

“Like many local highway authorities, we have seen an increased number of reports of potholes mainly due to the severe wet weather earlier in the year and as a result extra resources have been diverted to resolving this, including a further £1m for highways and pothole repairs as part of this year’s budget.

“The council have repaired 7,586 potholes between March 1 and September 20.

“Pothole damage can be caused by a combination of factors, including weather and an ageing asset, and we have a comprehensive highways inspection regime and appropriate and timely responses for repairs.

“Additionally, we are currently considering other technologies which will hopefully provide for a more resilient response to pothole repairs.”

The council said more than 5,000 pothole repairs were completed in the first two months of 2026, around twice the normal figure carried out.

Cllr Blackett said drivers and residents should always report potholes via Sunderland City Council’s website at sunderland.gov.uk.