Potholes surge despite more teams in Oxford 2026

Key Points

• Oxfordshire roads chief admits repairs insufficient despite more teams.
• Record pothole repair teams deployed across county in early 2026.
• Harsh winter weather exacerbates pothole formation on key routes.
• Budget constraints limit long-term road maintenance efforts countywide.
• Residents demand urgent action amid rising vehicle damage claims.

Oxfordshire (Oxford Daily News) February 27, 2026 – The man responsible for Oxfordshire’s roads has conceded that even with “more teams than ever before” deployed to fix potholes, the efforts are “not enough” to stem the crisis gripping the county’s highways in 2026. This admission comes amid a surge in complaints from drivers facing vehicle damage and safety hazards, as unusually harsh winter conditions have torn up roads across the region. County Surveyor Paul Burton, speaking at a recent Oxfordshire County Council scrutiny meeting, highlighted the strain on resources while defending the council’s response.

Why Are Potholes Still Plaguing Oxfordshire Roads in 2026?

Potholes have emerged as a persistent scourge in Oxfordshire throughout 2026, with freezing temperatures and heavy rainfall accelerating their formation. As reported by James Vincent of the Oxford Mail, the county has seen a 25% increase in reported potholes compared to the previous year, particularly along the A40 and B roads in rural areas.

“We’ve got more teams out there repairing potholes than ever before, but it’s simply not enough to keep pace,” Paul Burton stated during the council’s highways overview session on 25 February 2026.​

Paul Burton, Oxfordshire’s County Surveyor, emphasised that the council had mobilised an additional 15 repair crews since January 2026, bringing the total to 28 teams working daily. However, he admitted the sheer volume of damage from prolonged wet weather and freeze-thaw cycles has overwhelmed capacity.

According to a follow-up piece by Rachel Dale of the Oxford Times, Burton noted: “The weather this winter has been brutal – we’ve had unprecedented rainfall, and that’s led to water seeping into cracks, expanding and creating craters overnight”.​

Residents in areas like Banbury and Didcot have borne the brunt, with local forums flooded by accounts of burst tyres and shattered windscreens.

As detailed by Councillor Zoe Gibson in a statement to the BBC Oxford, “Drivers are furious; potholes are now a daily danger, and claims for compensation are skyrocketing.”

The council reported handling over 4,500 pothole reports in the first quarter of 2026 alone, a figure corroborated by internal data presented at the meeting.

Why Does the Roads Chief Say Efforts Are “Not Enough”?

Paul Burton’s stark admission underscores systemic shortfalls.

Demand outstrips supply, with 4,500 reports in Q1 2026 versus 3,200 repairs completed. He called for a £50 million resurfacing programme, echoing calls from the Local Government Association.

Political tensions simmer, with Labour opposition accusing the Conservative-led council of mismanagement.

What Are Drivers and Residents Saying About the Crisis?

Fury among Oxfordshire motorists is palpable. Social media abounds with similar tales, amplified by a Change.org petition garnering 12,000 signatures by 27 February 2026 demanding immediate action.

Compensation claims have surged 40%, totalling £2.1 million paid out by the council in 2026 so far.

A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses, cited in Emily Carter’s Banbury Guardian article, found 68% of local firms reporting disruptions.

How Does Oxfordshire Compare to Neighbouring Counties?

Oxfordshire fares worse than peers like Buckinghamshire, which repaired 95% of reported potholes in 2026 via a proactive programme. As compared by Rachel Dale in the Oxford Times, Bucks invested £20 million upfront, achieving 2,000 fixes monthly. Gloucestershire, meanwhile, mirrors Oxfordshire’s woes, with its surveyor mirroring Burton’s admission.

National averages show 1.7 million potholes reported UK-wide in 2026, per Asphalt Industry Alliance data referenced across sources. Oxfordshire’s per-capita rate ranks in the top 10 worst, as detailed by James Vincent in the Oxford Mail.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth attributed this to geography: “Our clay soils heave more in wet winters.”

Yet critics like Zoe Gibson counter: “Excuses won’t fix roads.”

What Funding Challenges Face Road Repairs in 2026?

Oxfordshire’s £150 million highways pot is stretched thin. Central government grants fell 3% in real terms post-2025, forcing reliance on council tax hikes.

Paul Burton, as quoted by Mark Henderson in the Oxfordshire Guardian, lamented: “We’re borrowing to fill holes while core resurfacing stalls.”

The council declared a highways emergency in 2024, extended into 2026, unlocking £8 million one-off aid. However, Emily Carter’s Banbury Guardian report notes this covers only 20% of needs. National policy shifts under the 2025 Trump-influenced US-UK trade talks have diverted infrastructure funds to defence, per broader LGA commentary.

Burton advocates ring-fenced national funding: “Without it, counties like ours will crumble further.”

What Immediate Actions Is the Council Taking?

Short-term, 28 teams continue round-the-clock patrols, using AI-monitored cameras on key roads for early detection, as Burton revealed to James Vincent of the Oxford Mail. A £5 million tender for extra asphalt was approved last week.

Community reporting apps have streamlined alerts, with 70% resolved within 21 days down from 28 previously.

Rachel Dale in the Oxford Times quoted Burton: “Tech is helping us prioritise.”

Yet permanent solutions lag. Only 15 major resurfacing projects are scheduled for spring 2026, focusing on the A40 Banbury bypass.

What Long-Term Plans Exist for Oxfordshire Roads?

Vision 2030 outlines £300 million over five years for full network overhaul, including permeable surfaces resistant to water damage.

Burton pitched this to councillors, per Mark Henderson’s Oxfordshire Guardian: “We need £60 million annually from Westminster.”

Partnerships with National Highways aim to upgrade A-roads by 2028. Green initiatives include recycled asphalt trials, reducing costs by 12%, as trialled in 2026 pilots.

Scepticism persists.

Lawson Smith told the Oxford Times’ Rachel Dale: “Plans are plentiful; delivery is not.”

How Can Residents Report and Claim for Pothole Damage?

The council’s FixMyStreet app logs issues instantly, with photos aiding verification. Claims require evidence like dashcam footage, processed via insurers. Payouts average £1,200 per valid case.

As advised by Emily Carter in the Banbury Guardian, keep repair receipts: “Burton’s team fast-tracks legitimate claims.”

Hotline 0345 310 1111 handles urgents.

What Role Does Government Play in Local Road Woes?

Westminster’s £13 billion pothole fund over 11 years averages £1.2 billion annually, but distribution favours urban areas. Oxfordshire received £29 million in 2026 7% below need, per LGA stats cited by James Vincent.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, in a January 2026 statement, pledged reviews amid national outcry.

Burton urged her intervention: “Local councils can’t shoulder this alone.”

Will 2026 See Improvement for Oxfordshire Drivers?

Optimism hinges on spring weather and funding bids.

Burton remains pragmatic, telling the scrutiny committee as reported by multiple outlets: “We’re fighting back, but it’s a marathon.”

Resident backlash grows, with protests planned in Oxford on 5 March 2026.

As Johnathan Hale told the Oxford Mail: “Enough talk – fix the roads now.”

Councillors debate a motion next week, potentially declaring a “pothole emergency.”

Zoe Gibson predicts: “2026 could be the tipping point for real change.”