Highways teams are working hard to tackle winter potholes across North East Lincolnshire

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Highways team is working around the clock to repair a surge in potholes caused by this winter’s severe weather.

The start of January brought freezing temperatures, snowfall, and then persistent heavy rain. The Met Office says our region saw more than 134% of the average rainfall for this time of year, which has had a major impact on local roads.

North East Lincolnshire has 618km of roads, all of which are routinely inspected to keep them safe. Since early December, our five‑person Highway inspection team has carried out more than 2,400 inspections, both planned and in response to reports from the public. These checks have led to over 980 highway repairs, including more than 390 pothole repairs. That’s an 80% increase compared with the two months before December, and 87% more than the same period last winter, which was a much drier winter overall.

Why potholes form in winter

Cold weather and heavy rain are tough on road surfaces. Water seeps into small cracks and freezes, expanding and damaging the surface. When traffic drives over these weakened spots, potholes quickly form.

How potholes are repaired

Our crews aim to make permanent repairs wherever possible. Depending on the condition of the road, they may:

• Cut out the failed road surface and replace damaged surfacing using hot materials
• Use thermal road repair technology to reheat and re-level the existing surface, reducing waste and creating a strong bond

Repairs are primarily identified through planned, reoccurring safety inspections and prioritised following a dynamic on-site risk assessment, which factors the size and depth of a pothole as well as, the location and speed of road. Repairs are then prioritised based on safety and location, with response times ranging from 24 hours to three working months. High‑priority issues may receive a temporary fix first to keep the road safe.

Looking ahead

Although we are moving towards the end of winter, more bad weather is still possible. Highways officers will continue to monitor road conditions closely, with over 1,200 planned inspections due before the end of April.

To help reduce potholes in the long term, the Council have a forward programme of resurfacing and preventative surface treatments, which is delivered through the Local Transport Plan Programme of works. Between 2026 and 2027, more than 11 miles of local roads are scheduled for resurfacing, and this programme is expected to grow over the next four years thanks to increased government funding.

Please continue to help the team by reporting any potholes on your road, footpath or cycleway on the North East Lincolnshire Council’s website -  www.nelincs.gov.uk/streets-travel-and-parking/roadworks-and-road-repairs/potholes/