Council Faces Criticism Over Pothole Markings Instead of Repairs

Residents in Flintshire have criticised the local council after claims that potholes are being marked with white paint rather than properly repaired.

Jamie Lee Collins, from Mold, described the condition of his local road as “terrible”, saying he has become so familiar with the defects that he knows exactly where each pothole is during his daily commute. He added that while he tries to steer around them to avoid damaging his vehicle, doing so can create additional safety risks.

Collins said the poor road surface has already led to vehicle repairs, including replacing leaking shock absorbers on his own car and fixing similar issues on his partner’s vehicle. He expressed concern about the financial impact on residents, particularly those unable to carry out repairs themselves.

The issue reflects wider concerns about potholes across Wales, which continue to contribute to rising vehicle repair costs and, in some cases, injuries. According to the RAC, more serious pothole damage can cost motorists an average of around £590 to fix.

Data suggests Flintshire County Council has paid out compensation in roughly half of pothole-related claims made by drivers. Separate figures indicate it can take several weeks for road defects to be addressed.

In response, the council said it carries out regular safety inspections across its road network, with repairs prioritised based on severity. Officials explained that repainting road markings is sometimes necessary to maintain safety, even if full resurfacing is not immediately possible.

A spokesperson added that limited budgets mean it is not feasible to repair every road before line-marking work is undertaken, with resources instead focused on the most severely affected areas.