Police shut A6 bridge after 'large pothole' damages cars and bursts tyres near Irthlingborough
Northamptonshire Police were called in to shut a main north-south route after a 'large pothole' damaged several cars and bursts their tyres near Irthlingborough.
Members of the public had already reported the deterioration of the road’s surface of the River Nene bridge crossing in Station Road to North Northants Council’s highways team (NNC).
Police closed the road at about 7.30pm yesterday (Wednesday, January 14) after several cars hit a large pothole and suffered punctures.
A spokesman for Northants Police said: “This happened yesterday at about 7.30pm when about seven cars hit a large pothole and suffered punctures/damage as a result. The road re-opened just before 9pm.”
At 9.10am a member of the public notified NNC of a ‘huge’ pothole on the northbound carriageway of the A6 between Chowns Mill and the Nene Park roundabouts.
Less than an hour later two ‘very hazardous’ large potholes were reported, adding it needed to be sorted ‘once and for all’.
The report said: “There are two large potholes on both sides of the road. Very hazardous, will cause an accident. This bridge is always getting holes every couple of months. It needs sorting once and for all.”
A further six reports came in about the potholes. One said: “This pothole is getting really wide and deep everyday, it is going to ruin a lot of cars if it isn't repaired immediately. Needs urgent attention from the council.”
During the day, concerns from motorists warned of possible damage including:
“Very large pothole in the road on the bridge …needs immediate attention before it causes an accident.”
“Major pothole curb side going south on A6, just caught my wheel and could have had a collision if it had burst my tyre. Hoping I don’t need my tracking and suspension looked at. Urgently needs repairing on such a busy road.”
At 7.04pm a motorist reported a burst tyre saying a ‘huge pothole’ on the bridge popped their tyre and they had to pay for rescue.
Police closed the road at about 7.30pm.
At 8.40pm another report was submitted.
It said: “People are popping their tyres on this pothole and needs fixing asap. This is a major road that is used and potholes are appearing everywhere and not being fixed especially on the Irthlingborough bridge. The pothole has been here now for way over a month – sort it out.”
Report your potholes to North Northants Council at Fix My Street
A spokesman for North Northants Council said: “An emergency road defect was reported to the council at 8.19pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
"Our team attended at 8.42pm, secured the site with police, and completed a temporary pothole repair.
"A permanent fix will follow within 28 days. The site will be monitored to ensure it remains safe until a permanent repair can be scheduled.”