The Horror of Pothole Deaths and Injuries

The true horror of pothole injuries and deaths were revealed in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Department of Transport.
Over a five year period there were ten fatalities and 262 life-threatening serious injuries reported concerning cyclists. There were many more lesser injuries and it is not known how many were not reported.

While much social media comment revolves around the damage and costs to motorists the burdens borne by those cycling are disproportionate. The figures are quite staggering.

Claims
Analysis of claims by cyclists against local authorities shows the massive cost of poor road surfaces have for those cycling. 

This is shown in a report on showing Councils make an average settlement of £80,000 for cycle incidents reflecting the higher costs of death or bodily injury, while in comparison the average claim settled for drivers was just £338 over the five years, which were primarily damage only. This is not to downgrade motorist claims which must be addressed but simply to set a scene on the levels of effect.

Both are wholly unacceptable and our Councils need to take their responsibilities towards ALL road user safety seriously. In Hampshire this responsibility has been poorly lacking.

A local Hampshire incident
Cycling UK has published a video over a tragic incident in Southampton where:
"Martin Wilson set out on a short, familiar 1-km bike ride to collect his daughter after finishing work. Minutes later, he was lying unconscious in the road outside his own home."

"He suffered facial fractures, spinal injuries, brain bleeds, and months of recovery."
Take care as it contains some graphic images.

Locally...
In Whitchurch the road surfaces are horrendous and all road users are suffering. The poor maintenance and haphazard temporary patching is telling its toll. A wad full of dry asphalt flattened down with a spade or a boot is not a repair but a pathetic bodge. 

Cycling UK developed 'Fill that Hole' as a tool that passes road defects to the bodies responsible.
Reporting a pothole can significantly increase the likelihood of the council fixing it – because the local authority can’t claim not to have known about it.

"Crucially, if the authority fails to take action, these reports can help others in the future should they need to claim for damage or injury against the council if that road defect hasn’t been fixed."

PLEASE REPORT HERE
https://www.fillthathole.org.uk/

Town Council action
Whitchurch Town Council has also asked for residents to inform them of potholes as they are inviting the local County Councillor Tom Thacker to one of their meetings.
The Council is being asked what the result of this has been. Once received it will be shared.

Big Walk and Wheel 2026

From 16-27 March, the UK’s biggest walking, wheeling, scooting, and cycling to school challenge returns. 

Delivered by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust in partnership with headline sponsor Schwalbe, the event is completely free for all UK schools.

Each day, schools compete to record the highest proportion of active journey, and there are daily prizes!

It’s a fun way to boost health and wellbeing for everyone!

Regular physical activity promotes good physical and mental health. Walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling is a great way for children to build physical activity into their daily routine. It helps children arrive more relaxed and alert, ready to start the day. It also helps reduce traffic congestion and improves air quality around the school.

Last year was a brilliant year, watch the 2025 highlights video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NteF0zn6O0

For free school resources and information visit: 

bigwalkandwheel.org.uk