Ealing Borough Tops London's Pothole League After Wet Winter

But council says numbers don’t tell the whole story

A pothole on an Ealing borough road

April 29, 2026

Ealing has emerged as London’s pothole hotspot this winter, with new data showing the borough recorded 1,470 pothole reports in January and February alone.

This highest total of the 17 borough in the capital that responded to a Freedom of Information request by tyre specialists Protyre Autocar. The numbers reveal a wider picture of deteriorating road conditions across London. Overall, pothole reports more than doubled this winter, rising from 4,706 in early 2025 to 11,092 in the same period this year.

But while Ealing sits at the top of the table for total reports, the council says the raw numbers lack crucial context and risk giving a misleading impression of the borough’s road network.

It says that Ealing is London’s third most populous borough and has one of the largest and busiest road networks in the capital. Heavy traffic, major construction projects – particularly around Old Oak Common – and increasingly volatile weather patterns have all contributed to wear and tear.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said the borough is far from neglecting its roads. “Ealing Council has repaired 7,250 potholes over the last year – around 10 a day,” they said. “Maintaining and improving the borough’s road network is one of our top priorities.”

The council highlighted its investment in long-term maintenance, including 14km of resurfacing in 2023 and 10.5km in 2024, alongside the use of more sustainable, longer-lasting materials.

In May, Ealing received its largest ever government funding boost for road repairs – £945,000. Half of this is being used to launch a new “drive and repair” programme, with daily patrols fixing potholes on the spot. The rest is supporting resurfacing at key junctions, including Lido Junction in West Ealing and the A40/Argyle Road in Perivale.

The council also pointed to the impact of climate change, with wetter winters and hotter summers accelerating road damage. “The road network is under more pressure than ever before,” the spokesperson said.

Sorted by January–February 2026 cumulative reports

While Ealing recorded the highest number of reports, other boroughs saw sharper increases. Islington experienced a 515 per cent rise, jumping from 143 reports last year to 880 this winter. Meanwhile, Westminster recorded just 30 potholes, the lowest figure in the capital.

Protyre Autocare, which compiled the data, said the surge reflects the impact of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on already stressed road surfaces. The company has issued safety advice to motorists, warning that hitting a pothole can damage tyres, wheels, suspension and alignment. The company's garages offer free tyre checks.

Archie Murray, regional technical trainer at Protyre, urged drivers to stop and check their vehicle if they hit a pothole. “Look for splits or bulges in the tyre, or any signs of damage to the wheel,” he said. “Even a slight drop in pressure can increase fuel consumption.”

He also advised using navigation apps that flag reported potholes and being cautious around puddles, which may conceal deeper holes.