by Sean Duthart

REPAIRING potholes in Glasgow is costing between £400 to £1000 per pot according to statistics from Glasgow City Council.

And it is estimated to require more than one billion pounds for city bosses to fix, as the council steps up its plans through “Fixing the Streets campaign city bosses

Drivers on daily commutes are forced into evasive, dangerous manoeuvres and even pedestrians are running the risk of twisted ankles as they navigate uneven roads.

Motorists have witnessed potholes of around 12 cm in width according to FixMyStreet leading to structural damage to wheels and axels which can cost hundreds to thousands of pounds in repairs and claims to the city council. 

Image below from FixMyStreet

One motorist described his challenges: “There are more potholes where I stay than working traffic lights which is another story. Increasing number of potholes are worrying but is it a surprise? I’ve ended up damaging my car bumper and have spent a lot of money to fix it.”

Decades of underinvestment, harsh winter weather, and an ageing road network have created a perfect storm. and while Glasgow City Council’s £18.5 million, three year “Fixing the Streets” programme is a move in the right direction, many residents and commuters feel they are fighting a losing battle. 

Image below is from Barrhead Road

With new potholes appearing faster than the old ones are repaired there have been more than 9,000 potholes reported in the city’s southside with Barrhead Road and Paisley Road West coming out on top.

The traditional method of simply filling holes with hot asphalt is often a short-term fix as water seeps in, frost expands, and the patch fails, restarting the cycle. There has however a slight improvement with fixing the holes and after potholes have been reported, they have been filled within the week.

What Can Be Done?

1. Long-Term Investment & Better Materials:

The call is for sustained, increased funding and the use of more durable materials and techniques, like full road-plane and resurface operations, or innovative polymer-based repairs that bond better and last longer.

• Embracing Technology: 

Councils can utilise AI-powered survey vehicles that scan roads to predict where potholes will form, allowing for preventative maintenance. Better public reporting apps (like my Glasgow App) with real-time tracking can improve efficiency.

• Holistic Urban Planning:

Fixing roads should be coordinated with upgrades to cycling lanes, pedestrian pathways, and public transport links, creating a safer, integrated network for everyone, not just cars.

If you have an issue with potholes share your concerns via the FixMyStreet website:

https://www.fixmystreet.com/around?js=1&pc=glasgow