While waiting in St Albans crown court for his case, Derek Bennett felt surprise rather than anger. He noted the presence of serious criminal trials and questioned his own presence over a minor issue. The judge initially suggested the matter belonged in magistrates court. Bennett, a 68-year-old construction consultant familiar with regulations, had studied the law. Section 56 of the Highways Act 1980 holds the responsible authority liable for road maintenance, allowing the public to seek a crown court order if a road falls into disrepair. Bennett pursued the case over potholes. Britain’s roads have deteriorated sharply. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander recently struck a deep pothole in Oxfordshire that required towing her car. The RAC handled 225 pothole-related calls daily in February, three times the figure from the previous year. Pothole claims have increased 90 percent since 2021. A YouGov survey found road conditions ranked as the top voter concern before May local elections. Similar problems exist elsewhere; New York’s mayor launched a program to repair 100,000 potholes in his first 100 days. Bennett observed worsening conditions near his Berkhamsted home and contacted Hertfordshire county council without response. He described an acute sense of fairness and decided action was necessary. Over 53,000 claims were filed against local authorities in 2024 for pothole damage including tyres, wheels and suspension. Councils spend heavily defending these cases under Section 58 of the Act. Bennett sought repairs rather than compensation. Reports describe individuals taking direct steps. Some fill holes with purchased asphalt, though such actions carry legal risks and limited durability. Others mark defects with paint or drawings to increase visibility. One Staffordshire resident uses animal illustrations; another in Nottinghamshire creates small scenes with toys. A resident in Orpington places rubber ducks in holes. A teenager in Malmesbury has tried bowling and fishing games involving potholes. Harry Smith-Haggett documents his efforts on TikTok by filling holes with plants while traveling. He began after noticing a defect near his Horsham home and found that planted holes were often repaired promptly. His videos have gained millions of views. He has observed extensive damage, particularly in Birmingham. Local drivers sometimes stop to express thanks, and residents offer hospitality. He avoids political involvement beyond criticism of council maintenance.
