Closed
Dangerous pothole – repeated reports, still unrepaired (A4260 / Yarnton Road junction)
Sent to Oxfordshire County Council less than a minute later
A large and dangerous pothole remains at:
What3Words: ///golden.prowl.robes Location: A4260 at the junction with Yarnton Road, travelling towards Kidlington Airport
This defect has already been reported multiple times and meets intervention level, yet remains unrepaired.
It was first reported on 24 January 2026 (Ref: ENQ261076794) and has since been reported at least 38 further times. Despite this, no repair or effective temporary mitigation (e.g. signage, barriers, or temporary fill) has been put in place.
The pothole presents a significant hazard to road users and has already caused vehicle damage. It is difficult to avoid due to its position on the carriageway and surrounding traffic conditions.
I understand that repairs have been delayed due to the need for three-way traffic management; however, the lack of action over an extended period raises serious safety concerns.
This defect requires urgent attention, either through immediate repair or appropriate interim safety measures.
Council ref: ENQ261102992
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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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
All over Oxfordshire there is clear evidence that the highways 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.
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If you’ve suffer 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.
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Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to submit a formal claim for damage to my vehicle caused by a pothole located at:
What3Words: ///golden.prowl.robes Location: A4260 at the junction with Yarnton Road, travelling towards Kidlington Airport
The incident occurred on [DATE] at approximately [TIME].
While driving along this road, my vehicle struck a pothole which was not visible and could not reasonably be avoided due to [INSERT REASON, E.G. TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, LIGHTING, ROAD POSITION]. As a result, my vehicle sustained damage, including [INSERT DAMAGE DETAILS, E.G. TYRE, ALLOY WHEEL, SUSPENSION].
I understand that the Highway Authority has a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highway. In this case, there is clear evidence that the defect had been present for a significant period prior to the incident and that the Authority had actual knowledge of it.
The pothole was first reported via FixMyStreet on 24 January 2026 (Ref: ENQ261076794) and has since been reported a further 39 times under the following references:
ENQ261098631, ENQ261098621, ENQ261098496, ENQ261097729, ENQ261097512, ENQ261097339, ENQ261097273, ENQ261097110, ENQ261097010, ENQ261096797, ENQ261096732, ENQ261096568, ENQ261096557, ENQ261095934, ENQ261095790, ENQ261095433, ENQ261095210, ENQ261094641, ENQ261094621, ENQ261094533, ENQ261093430, ENQ261093410, ENQ261093042, ENQ261093002, ENQ261091541, ENQ261091428, ENQ261091199, ENQ261090987, ENQ261090244, ENQ261090103, ENQ261089693, ENQ261083628, ENQ261083312, ENQ261082974, ENQ261081809, ENQ261081353, ENQ261080133, ENQ261079105, ENQ261099445, ENQ261099479.
In addition, the local councillor, Ian Middleton, has confirmed here: https://nextdoor.co.uk/ p/ DyPdktL8f6MH?view=detail that the council’s civil engineering contractors have stated that repairs require three-way traffic management, but that the council does not currently have the necessary equipment available to undertake the work.
This indicates that the Authority was aware of the defect but failed to take timely action to make the highway safe or adequately mitigate the risk.
Please treat this letter as a formal claim. I request that you provide:
- Copies of all inspection records for this location for the 12 months prior to the incident - Details of your highway inspection policy for this class of road - Records of any complaints or reports relating to this defect - Details of any maintenance or repair works carried out at this location
Please also confirm whether you intend to rely on a Section 58 defence and, if so, provide full details and supporting evidence.
I enclose / will provide the following in support of my claim:
- Photographs of the pothole and location - Photographs of the damage to my vehicle - Repair invoice / quotation - Proof of ownership and insurance
I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Contact Details]
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05/05/2026
You will see from the attached images taken today at 15:55 that a “make safe” repair has NOT been completed for this pothole, contrary to the most recent update on the report submitted this morning (ENQ261099445), which was then closed approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes after being opened.
Despite statements that orders have been logged for make safe repairs, no such mitigation (e.g. temporary repair, signage, or barriers) is present at this location, and the defect remains a hazard.
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05/05/2026
This holes is going to get cycles hurt .this has been reported over 8 weeks ago and is still not done. Can you let me know why is has not been done. Will allso send the info out to my mp
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07/05/2026
This is now getting ridiculous. The council have been aware of this pothole since January and told I witnessed a near miss accident due to cars swerving to avoid this. Does it take someone to be hurt in an accident for this to get the attention of a council which is doing nothing to support its residents despite the duty it has!!
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13/05/2026
The Council say they have no equipment for 3 way traffic lights but they were on this crossing last night until 11.30 p.m. with 3 way traffic lights but not fixing these potholes.
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Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We are already aware of the issue and are actively investigating based on the initial report. For comprehensive information on our approach to highway repairs and risk assessment, please visit the Oxfordshire County Council’s website at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ residents/ roads-and-transport/ street-maintenance-z/road-repairs .
State changed to: Investigation complete
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 09:56, Tuesday 19 May 2026
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03/06/2026
Thank you for the update.
This is not the first time this location has been assessed as requiring attention, nor is it the first time a report has been closed without a lasting resolution.
The recurring issue is that defects are repaired, the report is closed, and the road surface then deteriorates again shortly afterwards in the same locations. As a result, new reports have to be submitted because the underlying problem remains.
Residents will therefore continue to report the condition of this stretch whenever defects reappear, supported by dated photographs showing the progression and repeated failure of previous repairs.
The latest evidence demonstrates that this is not an isolated pothole but an ongoing pattern of carriageway deterioration affecting the wheel track, kerb edge and drainage channel.
A report may be closed administratively, but the issue itself is not resolved until the road surface is repaired to a standard that prevents the defects from repeatedly returning.
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Thank you for your report. the pothole at this location has been fixed
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.