The dire state of Britain's roads has provoked pothole vigilantes and become a political flashpoint. Derek Bennett, a 68-year-old construction consultant, took his fight to St Albans crown court, citing Section 56 of the Highways Act 1980, which obliges highway authorities to maintain roads. After being ignored by Hertfordshire County Council, he sought a court order to fix potholes near his home in Berkhamsted.
Bennett is not alone. Across the UK, people are taking matters into their own hands. Some, like documentary maker Oobah Butler and musician Rod Stewart, have filled potholes with asphalt from DIY stores. Others use graffiti: one Manchester artist known as Wanksy paints obscene drawings to draw attention. More creative approaches include colourful animal illustrations, tiny dioramas with toys, and filling holes with rubber ducks.
Harry Smith-Haggett, a landscaper, fills potholes with flowering plants and documents it on TikTok under Pretty Potholes. He says planting is safer than using concrete or tarmac, which could be illegal. His videos have been viewed millions of times, and he notes that filled potholes are often repaired by authorities the next working day.
The scale of the problem is vast. The RAC attended 225 pothole-related callouts a day in February, three times more than the same period last year. Since 2021, pothole-related claims have risen by 90%. According to YouGov, road conditions were the top issue for voters ahead of the May local elections. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently hit a pothole so deep her car had to be towed, joking it resembled a moon crater.
