Cardiff’s roads have taken a real hit after one of the wettest Januarys on record in the UK, combined with freezing temperatures that have caused surfaces to crack and deteriorate.
According to Cardiff Council, heavy rain followed by frost has led to a sharp rise in potholes across the city. Water gets into tiny cracks in the road surface, freezes and expands, breaking the tarmac. Essential third party works can also leave weak spots where potholes can form more quickly.
Council has said teams are out daily carrying out resurfacing work, patching damaged areas and making roads safe with temporary repairs while longer term fixes are planned.
Last year, 12,666 pothole repairs were made safe across Cardiff in line with guidance and legislation.
In January 2026 alone, just under 1,800 potholes were reported to the council, a 108% increase compared with the same month last year.
Extra funding has been allocated to help tackle the problem, with an additional £10 million from Welsh Government allocated for resurfacing work over the next two years. Officials say this will support further improvements to the city’s road network as repair work continues.
How to report a pothole or damaged road in Cardiff
Residents can report potholes, damaged road surfaces, pavements and other highways issues directly to Cardiff Council through the official online reporting form on the council’s website. This covers problems such as potholes, road markings, kerbs, drains and road signs, and helps the council identify and prioritise repairs.
Alternatively, people can use the Cardiff Gov app to report a pothole or damaged pavement digitally, or contact the council’s customer services for help.
