Charity warns roads causing issues in medicine transport network
Severn Freewheelers say five of their bikes have been damaged by potholes since the start of the year
A charity taking critical medical supplies to the NHS says its service is being compromised by the state of the UK's roads.
Severn Freewheelers, who operate in North Wiltshire and Swindon, transport medicines and phials of blood testing to NHS locations. But the charity has seen five of its bikes suffer significant damage due to potholes this year.
"It could be tyre damage, wheel damage, or a combination of both," Simon Grover, vice-chair and fundraising manager for the charity told us.
He told us the average cost is around £1,000, meaning the charity, which has to raise £85,000 to provide its service, has had to find an extra £5,000 to get their bikes back on the road.
Damage can be the end of the road for one night
Simon revealed that the damage can result in their nightly service being brought to an abrupt halt.
"If a bike breaks, we have to get another vehicle out to the damaged bike," he said. "That could take the medicines onward, but invariably it has to take it back to the point of origin and say to the NHS, we're really sorry, but the bike has been damaged. That's the end of the service tonight."
He added that it's not just potholes that are a problem. The service runs overnight from 7pm to 7am and seeing potential hazards can be difficult, with some being spotted only when it's too late.
"There are uneven surfaces, which make it very difficult to ride and it's also the debris that is kicked up by the potholes disintegrating onto the road. And there's a skid risk.
"It's about helping us serve the NHS, but it's also about protecting our own volunteers when they're riding the bikes."
Simon told us that when a service is stopped due to a breakdown, the organisation does bear the weight of letting people down.
"It's a natural phenomenon but we feel guilty that we can't actually deliver because of the state of the roads."
We can support the charity's efforts by donating through their website.
Weather to blame for spike in pothole numbers
Over 6,000 potholes have been addressed since the start of 2026 in Wiltshire, according to the local authority.
Cllr Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Heavy and persistent rain early this year has led to a sharp rise in potholes and crews are working daily to address this with over 6,000 potholes repaired since the start of the year.
“All 18 parish stewards have been redeployed to pothole repairs and work with contractors is being stepped up to repair defects as quickly as possible.
“Our investment in three Bobcat machines has transformed how quickly and effectively we can repair road surfaces, tackling large sections at once and helping to prevent further deterioration. Combined with more resurfacing and surface dressing, this approach is playing a major role in reducing pothole reports across the county."
Cllr Jacob added that the Council recognises the vital role Severn Freewheelers play in the NHS system and supporting local communities.
She said the authority will continue to improve the county's roads: "“We’re committed to a preventative, long-term maintenance programme that delivers lasting improvements for Wiltshire’s highways.”
Record funding for local councils, says DfT
Addressing the state of the roads is top target for the Government, with the Department for Transport telling us that it's handing £7.3bn to councils across the country to revitalise the network.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Poor roads cost drivers, charities and businesses and put lives at risk.
“That’s why we are reversing the decade of decline on our nation’s roads with record funding of £7.3 billion, and now it’s for councils to get on with the job.
“We’re already seeing progress, with 15 per cent more pothole repairs last year than the year before and will soon announce further measures to deliver smoother roads for all.”