THE NUMBER of potholes on Solihull’s roads have increased by more than 400 per cent after a wet winter, with crumbling roads leaving drivers facing the risk of damage to their cars.
According to data revealed in a Freedom of Information request by Protyre Autocare a total of 3,257 pothole reports were made to Solihull Council in January and February, compared to just 646 during the same months in 2025.
And there were 1,811 pothole reports made to the local authority in January and 1,446 in February, compared to 272 and 374 in January and February 2025.
Archie Murray, regional technical trainer and tyre safety specialist at Protyre Autocare, said hitting a pothole could damage both the tyre and the wheel of a car, and the damage could have long-term consequences.
He said: “Our main concern when motorists hit potholes is for their safety, and the safety of other road users. So, if you hit a pothole, pull up to a safe spot check to check your tyre for any damage and loss of pressure.
“Look for any splits or bulges in the tyre, or any signs of damage to the wheel itself, paying particular attention to the rim of the tyre.
“It’s important to check your tyre pressure too, as even a slight drop in pressure can cause higher fuel consumption if left unchecked.
“Hitting a pothole can cause much more damage than just to a tyre. Wheels can be cracked or fragmented, and your wheel alignment can be knocked out of line.
“Suspension items like ball joints and springs can also be damaged by severe potholes. The key piece of advice we’d always give is if you’re unsure whether your car is damaged, get it checked out by a professional mechanic.”
Pothole issues on the roads are caused by ‘freeze-thaw’, when water finds its way into small cracks in roads caused by traffic, which then freezes and expands, causing a larger hole which is made worse by more traffic driving over it.
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “The winter period brought significant bad weather including icy conditions and prolonged rain.
“These conditions speed up wear and tear, meaning new potholes and defects appeared much faster than we’d normally see.
“Also, during this time we generally complete more temporary repairs, which will noticeably deteriorate faster. However, as conditions improve, the teams are now revisiting these areas to complete permanent repairs and resurfacing.
“Be assured we are working incredibly hard to repair potholes as quickly as possible, and we are glad to see numbers and our network returning back to normal reporting levels.”
