Council's 154-Day Pothole Delay Blamed for Biker's Fatal Crash
A father riding a motorbike was killed after striking a pothole that the local council had been aware of for more than five months but failed to fix, an inquest has revealed. Biker Andrew Freakley, 43, was catapulted off his motorcycle into the path of an oncoming car after hitting the large, one-metre-square pothole, which council workers had twice flagged for repair over a period of 154 days.
Timeline of Neglect
Stoke-on-Trent City Council first identified the pothole during an inspection on May 7, 2025. It was subsequently flagged again on September 11, 2025. Despite this, the defect was only repaired on October 8, 2025—154 days after the initial inspection. Mr Freakley, a mechanic and forklift driver known to friends and family as Andy, died on September 25, 2025, while riding home to Meir after overtaking a van.
Coroner's Findings and Council Response
North Staffordshire coroner Lindsey Tonks stated that Andrew Freakley was an experienced rider familiar with both his motorcycle and the stretch of road. She concluded that the collision was completely unavoidable for the Volvo driver involved, who had taken all possible measures to avoid the crash. The coroner noted that Mr Freakley was not driving dangerously, despite exceeding the speed limit by 10mph, as he was performing a simple overtake manoeuvre.
Coroner Tonks emphasised: "It's clear from the evidence by the council that they'd identified this defect and its need for repair, and it was aimed to be repaired within 45 days. There's no dispute it didn't happen within the timeframe." She described the incident as a terribly tragic event, expressing sympathy for the family.
In response, council representative Stephen Lovatt explained that the pothole was not deemed an urgent defect because it was located in a hatched area in the middle of the road, categorising it as lower risk. A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman extended sympathies to Mr Freakley's family and friends, acknowledging the tragic nature of the incident.
Family Tributes and Questions
Andrew Freakley's stepfather, Kevin Freakley, questioned why the pothole had not been fixed sooner, highlighting the prolonged delay. The family paid heartfelt tributes, describing Andrew as "a loveable rogue, with a heart of gold" and a loving son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, partner, and friend. They expressed deep loss, noting: "You have left us with a great big hole."
Broader Council Policy and Road Safety Concerns
The council defended its actions by outlining a strict risk-based approach to scheduling repairs, aimed at making the best use of limited resources. They stated that over the past two years, they have significantly increased the number of potholes and defects repaired in Stoke-on-Trent. However, they admitted that more work is needed, attributing road conditions to years of underinvestment by national government. The council has recently diverted additional resources into road repairs and pledged to continue prioritising this issue.
This case raises serious questions about road maintenance protocols and the prioritisation of repairs, particularly in areas deemed lower risk. The 154-day delay, despite multiple flags, underscores potential gaps in public safety measures, leaving families to grapple with preventable tragedies.
