Pot hole problems slashed as council invests more cash
THE scale pot-hole problems in Barnsley has reduced dramatically in the three few years - with damage repaired more quickly and fewer claims for damage.
Council statistics show the improved performance corresponds to increasing amounts being spent on keeping the town’s roads in good condition.
It means that while 296 people made claims against the council over alleged damage to their vehicles during 2023, that figure had collapsed to 52 in the first nine months of 2025.
During 2024, the total number of claims was 182.
Of those who claimed in 2023, 120 were successful, with 42 winning claims in 2024 and seven claims from the first nine months of 2025 settled in favour of the motorist, with five still to be decided.
While the council’s budget on pot-hole repairs has been rising, their compensation bill for damage to vehicles has nosedived - standing at just £936 for nine months of 2025, compared to almost £30,000 for the 2023 year.
Latest figures show 96 per cent of damage reported by the public is now repaired on time, with 95 per cent of problems identified by council inspectors also repaired promptly.
That may be due in part to council staff acting more quickly to repair pot holes after they have been reported - the point at which local authorities become liable for damage claims.
Spending figures on pot hole repairs in 2025 are only available for the first three months, but if repeated would take the annual investment to more than £1m, up by more than 20 per cent on the 2023 figure.
Pot hole repairs are part of £17m being invested by the council on the district’s roads and ‘active travel’ initiatives, designed to encourage the use of transport other than cars.
The council has a programme of road resurfacing projects, with the objective of rebuilding the carriageways which need attention most urgently.
That has recently included work at Stoneyford Road and Station Road in Darfield.
Also on the list for the current year were Highgate Lane, Edward Road and William Street in Goldthorpe.
The current cold snap could lead to a flurry of fresh pot holes, as freezing water expands and can damage carriageway surfaces.