Telford and Powys councils 'reported fewest potholes last year'
Telford & Wrekin and Powys councils reported the lowest number of potholes in England and Wales last year, according to new data.
Researchers from Bill Plant Driving School sent Freedom of Information requests to all local authorities in England and Wales, asking for the total number of potholes reported in 2022.
Of the 122 authorities that responded to the request, Powys residents reported the fewest potholes per mile of road - 214 potholes, for 3,321 miles of road.
The study found that the county had an average of 0.06 potholes per mile.
Powys was closely followed by Telford & Wrekin in second place for the fewest potholes, reporting 270 potholes for 673 miles of road, giving the borough 0.4 potholes per mile.
Meanwhile, Shropshire reported 3,793 potholes, averaging around 1.17 potholes per mile.
Kirklees in West Yorkshire has been named the pothole capital of England and Wales, with 25.74 potholes reported per mile. The area had 23,513 potholes reported in 2022.
But Lancashire took the crown for the most potholes reported last year, with a staggering 67,493.
The driving school said it undertook the research to see how many miles you could average before seeing one.
"Potholes are a blight on tarmacked roads, negatively impacting road users for decades," a spokesperson said.
"Whether you are just beginning driving lessons or are an experienced motorist, potholes can affect your journeys, as they are uncomfortable, damage vehicles and can increase journey times.
"It is not just drivers that potholes impact. They are even more of a menace for cyclists, horses and pedestrians as it is very easy to trip up over one, which risks falls and the injuries associated with them."
