Exeter potholes worsen after Storm Chandra as drivers warned of rising road damage

Potholes across Exeter have worsened following Storm Chandra, with residents reporting new damage on key routes and renewed concerns about the condition of the city’s roads after weeks of heavy rain and flooding.

Devon County Council says it is still assessing the full extent of the damage to the highway network, warning that ongoing downpours are slowing inspections and repairs. 

The council is responsible for maintaining Exeter’s roads and has urged residents to continue reporting defects.

Data from the RAC shows Exeter has seen a significant number of pothole reports in recent months, with Devon County Council actively managing repairs across the city. 

However, the scale of the problem is reflected in wider county figures, with National Highways confirming that more than 3,700 pothole-related claims have been submitted in Devon over the past three years, with the highest number recorded in 2023/24.

At the same time, spending on repairs has risen. Devon County Council’s pothole repair budget has increased from £7.2 million in 2022/23 to £8.6 million in 2024/25, according to National Highways. 

READ NEXT: Exeter - London rail journeys impacted this weekend, plan ahead 

The council is also set to receive a share of the UK Government’s £1.6 billion national funding pot for road maintenance through to the end of 2026, money intended to tackle long-term deterioration and prevent roads from reaching the point of failure.

A spokesperson from Devon County Council said: “We are assessing damage to the highway network following Storm Chandra. This will take time, particularly with ongoing heavy downpours, so it is currently too early to estimate the extent of the damage or how long repairs might take.”

Despite the increased funding, drivers in Exeter say potholes continue to damage vehicles and create safety risks, particularly on routes used daily by commuters, cyclists and buses.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said poor-quality repairs are adding to frustration for motorists. 

“Fixing potholes as permanently as possible is vital. There’s nothing drivers find more incensing than watching them reappear after a few months, simply because they weren’t repaired to a high enough standard,” he said.

“The route to smoother driving surfaces is simple: ensure water can always drain off the roads, fix potholes as permanently as possible, seal roads against water ingress through preventative maintenance, and resurface roads that have gone beyond the point of no return.”

Water damage is a major factor behind the deterioration, with storms like Chandra accelerating the process. 

According to the RAC, water seeps into cracks in the road surface, weakens the structure beneath, and repeated traffic impact then causes the surface to collapse, forming potholes that can range from small divots to deep craters.

The financial impact on drivers is also mounting. A 2025 survey by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that UK motorists spent an average of £320 per year between 2023 and 2024 repairing pothole-related damage. 

Five per cent of drivers said they spent more than £1,000 on repairs, while nearly half reported paying between £200 and £600. 

The survey also found that 22 per cent needed repairs at least once a year, and 94 per cent admitted taking their eyes off the road to watch out for potholes.

Concerns over the condition of Exeter’s roads come as Devon County Council received an overall amber rating under a new Government performance system published on National Pothole Day earlier this month, including a red rating for spending. 

The assessment has prompted criticism from Exeter MP Steve Race, who has called for urgent action to improve road conditions in the city.

“Residents in Exeter know that our roads need work, and this ‘amber’ rating confirms that Devon County Council could be doing more to get our roads fixed,” he said. 

“Complaints are frequently raised by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in the city, including concerns about vehicle damage and personal safety.”

Mr Race highlighted Howell Road near the Danes Castle fire station as one location where potholes have caused particular concern and said he wants to ensure Exeter receives a fair share of funding after Devon received an additional £22.5 million for road maintenance and pothole repairs last year.

Devon County Council has defended its performance, saying the rating must be viewed in the context of long-term underfunding. 

Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said the authority faces a £390 million repair backlog, estimating that £102 million a year would be needed just to keep roads in their current condition.

“Every pound of funding Devon receives from the Department for Transport is invested directly into maintaining our highways,” he said. 

“However, Devon has been historically underfunded for many years, and that leaves us facing huge challenges.”

“We simply do not receive enough money from the government to properly look after a road network of this size and condition.”

The Government says the new rating system is designed to improve accountability and transparency, alongside a £7.3 billion multi-year national funding settlement aimed at shifting councils away from short-term fixes and towards preventative maintenance. 

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate. We’ve increased funding for local highway authorities and given them the long-term certainty they have been asking for.”

For now, drivers in Exeter are being urged to report potholes as they appear, as crews continue inspections following Storm Chandra and further wet weather is forecast.