The Liberal Democrats in London have highlighted the shocking state of local roads in Brent in a new campaign video.
In the footage, local candidate Barbara Want is seen playing golf in a large pothole, as cars pass by and swerve to avoid it.
The video is captioned: “Brent’s potholes are so deep… we’ve started using them as golf holes. Time to fix the basics.”
“After years of Labour in Brent, potholes are still driving residents’ mad. The Lib Dems will fix potholes faster,” Ms Want claims.
The campaign comes amid a wider road maintenance crisis across London, with a reported £1.2 billion repair backlog.
Around 2,100 miles of roads are estimated to have less than five years of structural life remaining, with roughly a fifth of the capital’s road network affected.
Brent’s potholes are so deep… we’ve started using them as golf holes. ⛳
— Fiona Mulaisho 🔶 (@FionaMulaisho_1) May 1, 2026
Time to fix the basics.
Use all 3 votes. Vote LibDem. #Queensparkward @DebWiseUnger @BarbaraWant @virginia_bc1 @antongeorgiou_ @Hopkins_Alison @LibDems @libdemlocalgov @HinaBokhariLD pic.twitter.com/BxQ79YDJ3n
Barnet has frequently recorded the highest number of pothole reports, with more than 4,600 logged on FixMyStreet.
According to the ALARM survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance, the problem has been worsened by a particularly wet winter, as water seeps into cracks, freezes in colder temperatures, and expands, leading to further road damage.
Dr Ian Lancaster, director of the AIA, said: "I only need to step out of the door, get into my car, and then I'm met with potholes everywhere. It's frightening, and it's affecting the way that people drive. I see people swerving to avoid potholes. I see them slowing down.
"We see people getting injured. We see damage to vehicles. We have to recognise that the local road network is absolutely critical for mobility.
"Every journey starts on a local road. If we allow this to carry on, people are not going to be able to get out to hospital appointments, doctor's appointments, down to the supermarket.”
