Cheshire's two councils have spent more than £16 million repairing potholes over the past three financial years, new figures show.

The data, obtained through Freedom of Information requests by Legal Expert, shows a combined £16.1 million was spent by Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council on pothole repairs.

Cheshire East received 11,338 pothole reports in 2025/26.

That was up from 10,596 in 2024/25, but down from 14,008 reports in 2023/24.

The council's spending on pothole repairs has risen sharply, from £1.18 million in 2023/24 to £3.3 million in 2024/25 and £4.37 million in 2025/26.

Cheshire West and Chester saw pothole reports fall from 17,089 in 2023/24 to 11,060 in 2024/25 and 10,105 in 2025/26.

Its spending on pothole repairs rose from £1.9 million in 2023/24 to £2.5 million in 2024/25 and £2.85 million in 2025/26.

Cheshire East also reported a sharp fall in compensation payouts linked to pothole-related claims.

Payments dropped from £68,433.97 in 2023/24 to £41,685.81 in 2024/25 and £15,217.55 in 2025/26.

Cheshire West and Chester said it does not hold separate data on compensation payouts, because settlement figures include legal costs and other claim-related expenses.

The figures come as councils face new highway funding reporting requirements.

Meanwhile, the RAC has warned that prolonged hot weather can cause road surfaces to deteriorate further.

The motoring organisation said 83 per cent of drivers encounter potholes on most car journeys, while 54 per cent encounter them on every trip.

RAC head of policy, Simon Williams, said: "Potholes are often associated with cold or wet winters, but prolonged periods of hot, sunny weather also takes its toll on the roads.

"Intense UV exposure and heat gradually oxidise the bitumen that binds asphalt together, making surfaces more brittle and prone to cracking. Once cracks develop, traffic and later rainfall can quickly turn them into serious defects.

"After the exceptional heat of this summer it's even more important that we maintain our roads properly.

"We need to be surface dressing roads still in reasonable condition to keep them that way. This involves spreading chippings on to fresh bitumen binder and sealing them against the ingress of water, which is the enemy as it leads to cracking and potholes."

Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and transport, Cllr Mark Goldsmith, told Nub News: "We recognise the condition of our roads matters to our residents and businesses alike, and we remain committed to improving our highways.

"That is why we have significantly increased investment in road maintenance and pothole repairs in recent years, targeting funding at both repairing defects and improving the overall condition of the network.

"However, years of underinvestment in local road maintenance at a national level has left councils facing a growing challenge in keeping roads safe and reliable.

"While motorists make a significant contribution through transport-related taxes to the Government, only a relatively small proportion, less than three per cent, has been directed towards maintaining the local road network.

"The problem is certainly not unique to Cheshire East, but it has been too little, for too long and it now clearly shows.

"We regularly inspect roads across Cheshire East and assess every reported pothole and road defect using clear and robust safety criteria.

"This helps us focus our resources on the issues that pose the greatest risk to road users and make sure repairs are carried out where they are needed most.

"The figures in this report do not tell the whole story. The increase in spending reflects our commitment to improving the condition of our roads, which requires sustained investment over a number of years.

"It is also important to remember that the number of potholes reported is not the same as the number that require repair. Every report is inspected and assessed before any work is scheduled.

"Similarly, the number of compensation claims received is not a direct measure of road conditions, as it depends on whether individuals choose to submit a claim."