Dorset Council spent more than £2.3 million repairing potholes across the county during the last financial year, newly released figures show.
Data released under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that 13,391 potholes were reported by members of the public during 2025/26.
The council spent £2,333,157 on pothole repairs during the year, an increase of almost £470,000 compared with the £1,864,983 spent in 2024/25.
Of the total spent last year, £195,574 went on temporary repairs, often referred to as "make safe" or patch repairs.
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The figures show that while the number of potholes reported has fallen from a peak of 16,532 in 2023/24, spending on repairs remains significantly higher than two years ago.
In 2023/24, residents reported 16,532 potholes, with the council spending £2,786,197 on repairs. That fell to 12,967 reported potholes in 2024/25 before rising slightly to 13,391 in 2025/26.
The amount spent on temporary repairs has also increased over the past year, rising from £154,322 in 2024/25 to £195,574 in 2025/26.
The FOI response also revealed the cost of compensation paid out following successful claims relating to pothole damage or injuries.
In 2023/24, Dorset Council paid £18,450.47 in compensation claims. The authority said this figure included £14,456 paid following a personal injury sustained on a pavement pothole.
Compensation payments fell sharply to £4,039.89 in 2024/25, while no successful compensation claims were paid out during 2025/26.
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In response to the figures, a spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "Dorset Council remains committed to maintaining a safe and resilient highway network.
"During 2025/26 the council increased investment in pothole repairs to more than £2.3 million and continues to prioritise defects based on risk to road users.
"Alongside reactive repairs, we are delivering a substantial programme of resurfacing, patching and preventative maintenance across the county.
"Residents should expect to see continued investment in both permanent pothole repairs and road improvement works throughout the remainder of 2026, with our focus on providing lasting repairs wherever possible and making the best use of available funding to improve the condition of Dorset's roads."
The figures come as the RAC warns this summer's prolonged heatwaves could make the UK's pothole problem even worse.
The motoring organisation says intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation and high temperatures can damage road surfaces by causing the bitumen that binds asphalt together to become brittle and crack. Once cracks form, water can penetrate the road surface and repeated traffic movements can quickly turn them into potholes.
The RAC's latest Report on Motoring found that poor local roads are now the biggest concern for UK drivers, with 51 per cent saying road conditions are their top motoring worry. It also found that 83 per cent of drivers encounter potholes on most journeys and 54 per cent come across them on every trip.
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The survey showed a third of motorists had suffered vehicle damage because of poor road surfaces in the last year, with the RAC estimating repairs for anything more serious than a puncture can cost up to £590.
Simon Williams, the RAC's head of policy, said: "There's nothing that irritates drivers more than potholes.
"Drivers' strong feelings about the poor quality of the UK's roads are a reflection both of a long-term lack of investment in road maintenance and repair by local authorities, and of the road surface issues exacerbated by a particularly wet winter, and now an extremely hot summer."
The Government has allocated £1.6 billion to council highway budgets in England for 2025/26 and announced £7.3 billion of funding for road improvements over the remainder of the decade.
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