Pothole report incorrectly closed (TWICE) – defect not resolved (Sterling Road Approach, Kidlington)
Sent to Oxfordshire County Council less than a minute later
This report has been closed as “investigation complete,” however the defect has not been permanently repaired and the underlying issue remains unresolved.
The carriageway at this location continues to exhibit: • Multiple deep potholes • Failed and breaking patch repairs • Ongoing surface deterioration
Given the history of repeated reports and failed temporary repairs, this issue cannot reasonably be considered resolved.
Closing reports without a lasting repair creates an inaccurate record and does not reflect the current unsafe condition of the road.
Request: • This location should be reopened and reassessed by a highways engineer • A permanent repair (full-depth or resurfacing) should be scheduled • Confirmation should be provided that this will not be subject to further short-term patching
For clarity, the issue has been ongoing since December 2025, with photographic evidence showing progressive deterioration.
Council ref: ENQ261095851
Updates
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Thank you for your enquiry. This issue has been passed onto the relevant team for investigation.
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Multiple large and deep potholes have been present at this location since at least 12/12/2025, and the condition of the road has significantly deteriorated over time.
The attached photos (December 2025 through March 2026) clearly show: - Repeated failure of previous patch repairs - Multiple deep potholes along the nearside wheel track - Loose, breaking asphalt and uneven surface - Standing water obscuring the depth of defects - Ongoing expansion and worsening of the damaged area
These defects are now severe enough to: - Cause vehicle damage (suspension, tyres, wheels) - Present a serious hazard to cyclists, who may be forced into traffic to avoid them - Increase the risk of loss of control, especially in wet or low-light conditions
This is not an isolated pothole, it is a progressive carriageway failure that has been repeatedly patched without resolving the underlying issue.
Previous reports (no lasting repair): 15/08/2018 – 1388794 28/03/2023 – ENQ23954087 12/12/2025 – ENQ251068283 02/02/2026 – ENQ261079809 03/02/2026 – ENQ261080134 06/02/2026 – ENQ261081361 07/02/2026 – ENQ261081745 10/02/2026 – ENQ261082925 16/02/2026 – ENQ261085119 23/02/2026 – ENQ261087662 24/02/2026 – ENQ261087937 28/02/2026 – ENQ261089141 10/03/2026 – ENQ261091146 02/04/2026 - ENQ261095097
Request: This location requires: - Inspection by a highways engineer - Full-depth repair or resurfacing, not further temporary patching
Please do not close this report until a permanent repair has been completed.
Given the duration (3+ months) and worsening condition, this should be treated as a priority safety issue.
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Images from previous reports.
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Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, the local highway authority has a statutory duty to maintain highways that are “maintainable at public expense”.
This usually means: - County councils - Unitary authorities - London borough councils - Transport for London (TfL) for some major routes
Maintenance includes: - Repairing potholes - Keeping the road safe for normal use - Inspecting roads at reasonable intervals
A highway includes: - Roads and carriageways - Pavements/footways - Cycle paths - Some verges and footpaths
If someone is injured or their vehicle is damaged, they may bring a civil claim against the council.
However, councils can rely on a defence under Section 58 – Highways Act 1980. This is known as the “reasonable maintenance” defence. To succeed, the council must show they:
- Had a reasonable inspection system - Inspected the road on schedule - Took reasonable steps to repair defects - Did not know (and could not reasonably have known) about the pothole
Courts look at: - Road type (motorway vs residential) - Traffic levels - Size and depth of the pothole - Time the defect existed - Inspection frequency
There is clear evidence that the damage is not isolated, but also of: - Large, deep potholes (many appear >40mm deep) - Clusters of defects rather than isolated damage - Water-filled potholes (suggesting prolonged existence) - Edge failure near kerbs and gullies (structural weakness, not sudden damage) - Repeated patching and failed repairs - White paint marking defects (clear evidence the council knew) - Some defects appear unchanged over multiple years. - A repair that predictably fails is not a reasonable repair.
This is a systemic failure on the council’s behalf, which they would be unable to defend using s.58 Highways Act 1980.
Posted anonymously at 14:39, Thursday 2 April 2026
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Dear Sir or Madam,
Formal Complaint – Failure to Maintain Highway (Sterling Road Approach, Kidlington, OX5 2GA)
I am writing to make a formal complaint regarding the condition of the carriageway at the above location and the authority’s repeated failure to carry out an effective and lasting repair.
This section of road has been reported numerous times since December 2025 due to deep potholes and widespread surface failure. Despite multiple reports and previous temporary repairs, the carriageway has continued to deteriorate.
The road is now in such poor condition that it is effectively unsafe to use without risk of vehicle damage. Drivers are being forced to move into the opposing carriageway to avoid defects, which is not always possible due to parked vehicles. This presents a clear and immediate safety hazard, particularly in wet conditions where standing water obscures the depth of potholes, and in low-light conditions.
The repeated failure of short-term patching at this location demonstrates that previous repairs have been inadequate and that the underlying structural issue has not been addressed.
I am concerned that the authority is failing to fulfil its duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highway in a safe condition.
I therefore request: 1. Immediate action to make this section of road safe, including either a permanent repair or appropriate interim safety measures (e.g. temporary traffic management). 2. Confirmation of when a full and permanent repair will be carried out. 3. A clear explanation as to why recent repairs have failed so quickly and what steps will be taken to prevent recurrence. 4. Confirmation of whether this location has been subject to regular inspection in accordance with the authority’s highway inspection policy.
Given the duration of the issue and the clear risk to road users, this matter requires urgent attention.
Please treat this as a formal complaint and provide a written response in accordance with the council’s complaints procedure.
I would also request that this complaint is not closed until the defect has been permanently resolved.
Yours faithfully,
Posted anonymously at 14:40, Thursday 2 April 2026
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From Cllr Liam Walker If you’ve suffered damage to your vehicle due to a pothole on a county council maintained road, you can submit a claim to Oxfordshire County Council. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide: 1️⃣ Gather evidence ▪️Photos of the pothole (clear, close-up, and wider shots to show location). ▪️Photos of the damage to your vehicle. ▪️Date, time, and exact location of the incident. 2️⃣ Keep records ▪️Repair quotes or invoices. ▪️Any recovery or breakdown receipts. ▪️Details of any witnesses (if available). 3️⃣ Report the pothole ▪️Make sure the pothole is reported via the Council’s online reporting system (if it hasn’t already been) which can be done here: https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ 4️⃣ Submit a claim ▪️Complete the highways damage claim form on the Oxfordshire County Council website here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ transport-and-travel/ street-maintenance-z/ compensation#paragraph-3985 ▪️Upload all your evidence and supporting documents. ℹ️ Important to know ▪️Claims are assessed against whether the Council was aware of the defect and if it met intervention levels under their inspection regime. ⏳ Submitting clear evidence early can really help.
Posted anonymously at 14:40, Thursday 2 April 2026
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Could I please have an urgent update about what is going on with this site. These are severe defects that have been reported multiple times with pictures over several months. As the County Councillor for the area I would appreciate an explanation as to why they are apparently being ignored. Posted by Cllr Ian Middleton at 11:47, Thursday 26 March 2026
Posted anonymously at 14:40, Thursday 2 April 2026
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Hi Ian, as the County Councillor for the area, you may want to check this one out too: Https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/9049641 It has been an issue for even longer.
Posted anonymously at 14:40, Thursday 2 April 2026
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