Road users are all too familiar with the frustration caused by potholes, which have become a persistent issue.

The problem of potholes appears to be escalating, with many individuals taking to discussing the topic due to its growing severity.

Recent inclement weather has exacerbated the issue, according to a garage owner in Northern Ireland, who reported dealing with approximately 10 vehicles daily that had sustained damage from potholes.

In an effort to address the issue, the Department of Infrastructure allocated an additional £8m last week, but a DUP assembly member described the problem as a "pothole pandemic" and argued that more needs to be done, while a roads expert suggested that nearly £1 billion is required to resolve the issue.

The question remains as to whether the current measures are merely a temporary solution, and what is the true extent of the pothole problem.

The RAC, a motoring organization, estimates that there are over one million potholes in the UK, indicating that this is not a localized issue.

In Northern Ireland, statistics from 2024 show that approximately 120,000 road defects and potholes were recorded between January and November of that year.

More recently, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins reported that around 49,000 defects have been recorded in the last three months.

This figure is nearly half of the total recorded for the entire previous year, according to Minister Kimmins.

Potholes are essentially depressions or hollows in the road surface, resulting from the combination of groundwater and traffic.

The formation of potholes occurs when water seeps into small cracks in the road surface, often caused by traffic, and then freezes, expanding and subsequently contracting when it thaws.

This process enlarges the cracks, further weakening the road and allowing more water to penetrate the surface.

As the road surface deteriorates, traffic breaks it down, creating a small hole that expands as more vehicles pass over it.

Heavy rainfall worsens existing potholes, and 2026 has seen an unusually high amount of rainfall, with Northern Ireland experiencing 64% more rain than normal in January.

Depending on their size, potholes can pose a significant threat to vehicles and pedestrians, as well as cyclists and motorists.

While small potholes may not typically cause major accidents, repeated exposure to them can lead to damage to tires, suspension, and steering systems over time.

Damian Carthy, owner of a garage in County Fermanagh, reported dealing with up to 10 individuals daily whose vehicles had been damaged by potholes.

Many of the vehicles brought to his garage required more than just new tires, with some needing repairs to wheels, suspension, and springs.

"I'm seeing bent wheels, broken wheels, broken suspension, and broken springs," Carthy said, adding that some vehicles had to be towed off the road.

Paschal O'Shea, a regular user of the 23-mile Loughshore Road in County Fermanagh, described the road conditions as extremely hazardous and feared a potential fatality.

He expressed frustration at the lack of accountability, saying that while consumers can return defective products or complain about poor workmanship, they have no recourse when it comes to substandard roads.

"We pay our taxes, ensure our vehicles are roadworthy, and obtain MoT certificates, but the roads themselves are not fit for use," O'Shea said.

Tour guide and bus driver Jerome O'Laughlin damaged his vehicle on a pothole on the same road and expressed embarrassment at having to apologize to clients from abroad for the poor state of the roads.

"Sometimes potholes are filled with water, making it difficult to gauge their depth," he added.

The Department for Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining public roads, and between 2018 and 2023, it spent £547m on road maintenance.

The recent allocation of £7.75m by the infrastructure minister is in addition to a £30m investment announced in December 2025.

Minister Kimmins acknowledged that despite the new funding, there are limitations to what can be achieved in the short term.

"Given the extent of the damage, it is not possible to address every issue immediately," she said.

However, she instructed department officials to maximize their available workforce capacity to ensure that as much work as possible is done quickly.

DUP assembly member Jonathan Buckley criticized the minister's response, saying she had "offered no clear answers" to the problem.

"The pothole pandemic requires a solution, but the minister appears to lack one," he added.

Peter Martin, chair of the infrastructure committee at Stormont, welcomed the additional £8m but noted that there had been a "lack of focus" on potholes in recent years.

"Any efforts to repair our roads are worthwhile, given the scale of the problem," he said, emphasizing that it is the minister's responsibility to find a solution.

Researcher and roads expert Wesley Johnston attributed the pothole problem to decades of underinvestment in roads, particularly in rural areas, and argued that more funding is necessary.

Johnston stated that the recent investment of £8m is insufficient to resolve the issue, estimating that approximately £1.6 billion is needed to bring the road network up to standard.

"Additionally, regular structural maintenance costing around £150-200m per year would be required to maintain the roads," he said.

The need for a long-term solution to the pothole problem is clear, with many stakeholders calling for increased investment and a more comprehensive approach to road maintenance.

As the situation continues to worsen, it remains to be seen whether the current measures will be sufficient to address the issue.

The consequences of inaction could be severe, with potential risks to road safety and the economy.

Ultimately, finding a solution to the pothole problem will require a sustained effort and commitment to investing in the region's road infrastructure.

Road users are required to provide specific information on a designated website.

According to the AA, drivers and cyclists should steer clear of potholes whenever possible, but if unavoidable, they should slow down and maintain a greater distance from surrounding vehicles to ensure safety, and also keep both hands on the wheel for optimal control.