An Old Malden councillor says he has found the key to pothole prevention
Potholes are an enduring problem for councils across the country. But one local councillor said he has found the solution to one of drivers’ biggest bugbears.
Lib Dem Councillor for Old Malden, Mike Massimi, claimed the roads of his ward are “near spotless,” and said it was made possible through “hard work, early detection and proper resurfacing”.
Massimi said focusing on an “inspect what you expect” mindset helped him to observe road conditions closely and identify effective ways to improve them.
“What I do is, I walk the ward, I cycle the ward and I drive the ward, so I can feel the experience of a driver, a cyclist or even a pedestrian,” he said.
Massimi also cited early engagement with Council highway officers as essential for getting the necessary budget for pothole prevention.
The councillor said he was motivated by a desire to show residents their money is being invested in something visible and accessible for everyone.
To achieve his goal, Massimi lodged complaints with Transport for London (TfL).
He sent over 30 emails to TfL, with videos and pictures documenting the “shocking condition” of the pothole-filled roads, accidents and damaged tyres. He also filed a formal complaint with the London Mayor.
“With every email, I increased the tone and started to show my frustration,” said Massimi. “Local MPs and groups that represent drivers and cyclists soon stepped in, and after two years of exchanging emails, TfL fixed the roads.”
With the help of Councillor Elizabeth Park and highway officers, Massimi fixed major potholes on South Lane, Sheephouse Roundabout, Gainsborough Road and Kneller Road. Repairs were carried out by TfL on the A3 Old Malden section and Malden Way.
He described the fixes as “a substantial victory in terms of local request and local campaign.”
Councillor Park said that the council is using good quality materials for repairs, such as elastomac, which is a recycled, fast-setting material designed for durability and sustainability.
Park said: “It [repair work] has definitely improved, as some roads have been given a new surface after not being touched for many years. Fortunately, this year two more roads have also been listed for resurfacing, which is great to hear. Currently [there are] no potholes in Old Malden.”
Potholes are a major issue across the UK. The Automobile Association (AA) dealt with more than 600,000 pothole-related incidents in 2025.
AA president Edmund King said: “A five-year warranty on every non-emergency pothole repair would be a game changer. It shifts the focus from short term patches to long lasting repairs and ensures accountability from those carrying out the work.”
The AA and campaigning group Pothole Partnership are now aiming to support councils with permanent repairs and selected Old Malden as a case study in pothole prevention for National Pothole Day last month.
Tony Rich, representative of AA and Pothole Partnership, said the AA patrols have shared numerous positive comments about the condition of the roads in Old Malden.
“The general consensus is that the roads appear to be free of potholes,” said Rich. “The work undertaken by Cllr Massimi and his team in Old Malden Ward demonstrates that with clear priorities and sustained effort, meaningful improvements can be achieved.”
He also said that this long-term approach, rather than a “patch and run” approach, could protect council investment and create safer roads for all.
However, Harry Foskin, Conservative Party candidate in Old Malden, disagreed with this assessment of the pothole situation in the locality. He said:
“It is simply disingenuous to suggest that Old Malden’s roads are ‘near spotless’. Although progress has been made in some places, residents – who are paying the highest council tax in London – continue to be frustrated by the lack of urgency.
“Just this week, I spoke to several residents who have been raising concerns about the sorry state of Church Road for years. Time and time again, we have had to put up with shoddy temporary fixes that simply kick the can down the road.”
Massimi said that the full resurfacing of Church Road is scheduled for completion in the 2026 financial year, which has been already confirmed to residents.
“Initially, a temporary repair is undertaken to make a defect safe. This is then followed by a permanent repair,” said Massimi. “I have always been upfront that parts of Church Road are below standard. That is precisely why funding has been secured and why it remains a priority for full resurfacing.”
When asked if his passion depends on the upcoming election, Massimi said: “What we have now is a result of years of hard work and I am a councillor who want to represent residents to the council, not the other way around.”
