Inquest Hears Motorcyclist Died After Hitting Long-Reported Pothole

An inquest into the death of a motorcyclist in Stoke-on-Trent has heard that a pothole linked to the fatal incident had been known to the local council for several months before the crash.

Andrew Freakley, 43, died on 25 September last year after his Yamaha motorcycle struck a large pothole on Park Hall Road, a 40mph route in Meir. The impact caused him to lose control and be thrown into the path of an oncoming car.

The hearing was told that Stoke-on-Trent City Council had identified the defect during an inspection on 7 May. It was flagged again following a second inspection on 11 September, just weeks before the incident. However, the pothole was not classified as urgent and was not repaired until 8 October—13 days after the crash and 154 days after it was first recorded.

North Staffordshire coroner Lindsey Tonks concluded that the condition of the road had played a role in the fatal collision. She said Mr Freakley, an experienced rider familiar with both his motorcycle and the stretch of road, had been unable to regain control once the bike became destabilised.

The coroner also determined that the driver of the oncoming Volvo was not at fault, describing the collision as unavoidable despite attempts to avoid it.

While it was noted that Mr Freakley had been travelling at around 50mph—above the speed limit—the coroner did not consider his riding to be dangerous. However, she said his speed and decision to overtake were contributing factors alongside the presence of the pothole.

The case has reignited concerns about the condition of local roads. According to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), nearly half of the UK’s local road network is affected by potholes. The organisation estimates it would cost £18.6 billion and take more than a decade to repair them all, describing the situation as a “national disgrace.”

The inquest highlights ongoing challenges for local authorities in maintaining road networks and the potential consequences when defects are not addressed promptly.