Top of the Pots: 20 of the worst West Midlands potholes that were narrowly avoided by our disgruntled readers

What can be said about potholes? They're horrible, sneaky, empty patches of despair that plague roadways across the West Midlands, Shropshire and indeed the entirety of the UK.

Every driver has a story of the time they narrowly missed a pothole, and a few of us have stories of almost destroying our cars when we accidentally went into one.

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Not only are they a constant source of trouble for drivers everywhere, but they are also a persistent hassle for many councils, with council workers across the country battling to deal with them as soon as they appear.

Councils say they are working hard to solve the problem – and Shropshire Council this week boasted it had filled 20,000 holes since May.

In Wolverhampton, crews are said to be out seven days a week in an attempt to patch up the roads. But the city was this week hit by a new low – a 3ft deep sinkhole that forced one city centre street to be sealed off.

The cold snap at the start of the year has caused huge damage and opened up small potholes into large voids.

So it was no surprise that when we asked our readers to send us their pictures of the worst potholes they had seen on their travels, we didn't just receive a few, we received dozens.

So, without further ado, here is our 'Top of the Pots' of the worst potholes our residents have been tormented by on their travels across the West Midlands and Shropshire.

1) Moreton Say, Market Drayton

This pothole had turned into a small pond in Moreton Say, Market Drayton.

It's not the only entry in this list from Moreton Say, but we would say it might be the worst.

2) Linden Lea, Wolverhampton

We featured this one in a previous story about potholes.

Judging by its sharp angles, we could imagine that it would do some damage to the sides of our tyres.

3) Compton Island, Wolverhampton

This pothole at Compton Island, Wolverhampton, is the bane of drivers, with many choosing to take alternative routes.

4) Staffordshire primary school

This nasty pothole near Stoke-on-Trent Primary School was apparently reported to the council more than four months ago.

The pothole was so big that even this small pooch was concerned.

5) More misery in Moreton Say

By now, we are definitely staying away from Moreton Say.

It is a beautiful village, but the roads are shocking  Like our last entry from the region, this one had taken on a fair bit of water.

6) Russells Hall, Dudley

 This isn't the only pothole on Langstone Road, near to Russells Hall, Dudley, however, we believe that it might be the most dangerous.

7) Coseley

This pothole sits outside of a row of residential properties in Coseley.

Residents said that the hole has been reported to the council on numerous occasions, with some saying that it has even damaged their cars.

8)  High Ercall, Shropshire

This horrific sight on the B5063 from High Ercall to Walton has damaged a fair few vehicles in its time. Avoid if you can!

We have also included a bonus image submitted by Rob Davies, who wrecked a tyre when he went into the hole three weeks ago, costing him £200 for both the wheel and tyre.

9)  Hallchurch Road, Dudley

This pothole on Hallchurch Road, Dudley, has been reported multiple times; however, residents say that nothing has been done about it.

10) Beacon Cemetery, Wolverhampton

This collection of potholes on Dovedale Road, near to Beacon Cemetery, has been the bane of drivers ever since they appeared.

11)  Bilbrook, Wolverhampton

Drivers of Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, are known to take caution when travelling near Budgens.

We could imagine this one doing a bit of damage if we accidentally went into it. It would certainly make for an expensive trip to the shops.

12) Brynafod Lane, Oswestry

This 'potstreak' in Brynafod Lane, Oswestry, has apparently been the bane of drivers for years.

Residents of the area have made claims of damages to vehicles, and many have complained about wheelchair access on the road.

13)  Button Oak, South Shropshire

This pothole on the B4194 at Clogs Bank, near Button Oak, on the south Shropshire border, was flagged up by John Titlow and has already featured in the Star.

Mr Titlow had been left outraged after his son was forced to swerve to avoid an oncoming car which was dodging the pothole, resulting in a serious accident which he miraculously escaped with no injury.

14) The A442, Bridgnorth

The A442 Bridgnorth road in Shropshire has been plagued with potholes over the past 18 months.

The road was dubbed one of the worst in the county in March last year before repairs took place.

But recent bad weather has seen a number of large potholes opening up again. It is one of the region's busiest roads and it can be hard to dodge the potholes, especially at night.

15)  B4555, Bridgnorth

This pothole on the B4555, five minutes south of Bridgnorth town centre, was reported in January.

The reports came after the hole took out a number of cars.

16) Weston Pools, Oswestry

This whopper has opened up on the small bridge on the way to Weston Pools, Oswestry.

One Shropshire resident reported how it had taken out the front and back nearside tyres on a Mercedes.

17) Curriers Lane, Shifnal

Curriers Lane in Shifnal has been described by residents of the town as resembling the surface of the moon.

The route has been plagued by major potholes for months and has recently been scheduled for long overdue repairs.

18) Dudley

We aren't sure where this monstrosity was located in Dudley; however, we know that we will be on the lookout whilst driving in the region.

19) Eversley Grove, Wolverhampton

This one on Eversley Grove, Wolverhampton, plagued drivers last year and the recent bad weather hasn't improved the situation.

20) Langstone Road, Dudley

Again on Langstone Road, near Russells Hall in Dudley.

These ones aren't as terrible as the last, but we bet they would still do some damage.