Potholes
On this page:
- Overview
- Report a pothole
- How we repair potholes
- Other highways issues
Overview
A pothole is a hollow/hole in a road, measuring at least 300mm (wide) by 300mm (deep).
Many factors cause potholes, including the volume of traffic and weather. It is often assumed that potholes occur because a road is poorly maintained however this is not always the case.
They can form at all times of year but are more likely in the winter as water seeps into cracks and when it freezes it expands, forcing up the road surface. The cycle of freezing, thawing and stress from traffic causes more cracks to appear which can then break up forming a pothole.
We assess and prioritise each pothole by the risk it poses to road users. The factors to we take into account include:
size and depth of the pothole
traffic type, speed and volume
road alignment
visibility
the position in the road
How a pothole is categorised will determine how quickly it is repaired. If you have reported it, we will have logged the issue and will resolve it as soon as possible.
We aim to visit all reports by the next working day. During this assessment we will establish what work needs to be done, what is needed to do this work and what level of risk it will cause for road users.
If a pothole is large or on a particularly busy road the repair may take a little longer to plan or additional equipment may be needed. In these cases, we will mark the pothole and return to repair it as soon as possible. Some repairs, for example those on busy roads, take more time to plan and may need road closures or traffic management to ensure the work can be done safely.
If it's considered a safety risk by our inspection team, we will make the area safe as soon as possible. This may include temporary measures before work begins. It can take up to eight weeks for potholes to be fixed completely.
We repair hundreds of potholes each year, however our team also repair large patches, which are different to potholes, and broken kerbs. On average we repair over 2,000m2 of road each year.
Report a pothole
Tell us if you see a pothole on a road or footpath in Gateshead.
You will need to tell us the exact location of the pothole. You can also upload an image of the issue if you have one.
Alternatively, you can call our customer service team on 0191 433 7000.
If the pothole is on the A1 or A194(M), please contact National Highways (opens new window) on 0300 123 5000.
How we repair potholes
The pothole is assessed for size, depth, and location - it may be marked with paint to indicate it has been logged for repair.
Loose debris, water, and dirt are removed from the pothole using a stiff brush or shovel - this ensures proper adhesion of the repair material.
The edges of the pothole are squared off using a saw or jackhammer to create a clean boundary - this helps the new material bond better and prevents premature failure.
A tack coat (bitumen-based adhesive) is applied to the base and sides of the pothole to help the new asphalt stick.
Hot or cold mix asphalt is poured into the hole. Cold-lay tarmac is often used for quick fixes, while hot-lay asphalt is preferred for more durable repairs.
The filled pothole is compacted using a mechanical rammer or roller to ensure a smooth, level surface - proper compaction is crucial for durability.
Overbanding tape or joint sealant may be applied around the edges to prevent water getting in, and extend the life of the repair.
Other highway issues
For other issues on a road or footpath such as missing drain covers or uneven paving, visit our problems on a road or footpath page.