Frustrated motorists across the UK can now see exactly how their local authority is performing on the perennial issue of pothole repairs. The government has published a new league table, using a traffic light system to rank every local highway authority in the country.
The Traffic Light System: Red, Amber, Green
The Department for Transport's new ratings grade councils on two key areas: the current condition of their roads and how effectively they are spending dedicated road maintenance funding. The system categorises authorities as red, amber, or green.
The majority of councils received an 'amber' rating, indicating they are meeting some standards but have clear room for improvement. However, significant parts of the country have been flagged 'red', signalling significant concerns. These red-rated councils were assessed as falling below expected standards in one or several areas and will each receive £300,000 in planning and capability assistance to help them improve.
In contrast, 'green' councils are highlighted as following best practice. The government praised these authorities for investing in long-term, preventive road maintenance strategies rather than just carrying out short-term patches.
Which Councils Are the Best and Worst Performers?
The data reveals a stark postcode lottery for road quality. Outside of London, the councils scoring the lowest 'red' rating include Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness, Bolton, Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, West Northamptonshire, Bedford, Slough and Suffolk.
In the capital, three boroughs – Waltham Forest, Kensington and Chelsea, and Greenwich – were also marked red. Transport for London received an overall 'amber' rating. The top-performing London councils, ranked green, were Lewisham and Hillingdon.
The green-rated authorities outside London are: Middlesbrough, Darlington, Leeds, Wigan, Manchester, Rotherham, Sandwell, Coventry, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, West Berkshire, Portsmouth and Essex. All other councils were given an amber rating.
Funding and the Cost of Poor Roads
The publication of this league table follows a £7.3 billion commitment for local road maintenance funding over four years, announced in last year's budget. The government had already pledged an extra £500 million for the current financial year, but withheld a quarter of it until councils submitted detailed spending plans.
The issue of deteriorating roads has tangible consequences for drivers. The RAC estimates that the typical repair bill for a family car suffering pothole damage beyond a simple puncture is £590. Such damage often includes broken suspension springs, damaged shock absorbers, and distorted wheels.
The urgency was underscored just days before the data's release, when a large pothole on a motorway slip road in Hampshire – an amber-rated area – burst the tyres of 14 cars in a single evening, causing severe vehicle damage and traffic chaos on the A303.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that drivers have "paid the price for poor road maintenance for ‘far too long’". She added: "We’ve put our money where our mouth is... Now it’s over to them to spend the money wisely, and for the first time we are making sure the public can see how well councils are doing."
The political dimension was also highlighted, with Tory transport spokesman Richard Holden MP commenting that the map "is a warning label" for residents in many Labour-run councils that scored poorly.
