A new government traffic‑light rating system now allows drivers to see how their local highway authority (LHA) is performing on pothole repairs and road maintenance, but the methodology behind it has been questioned by stakeholders.

The online map, described by ministers as the first of its kind, grades 154 LHAs red, amber or green. Ratings are based on three measures: the current condition of local roads, how much each authority is spending on repairs and whether councils are adopting recognised best practice in highway maintenance – in particular a shift from short‑term patching to longer‑lasting preventive work.

Adept (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport) has long campaigned for better funding for local roads. It has “acknowledged” the government’s rating system but its president Angela Jones added: “We would like clarity on how ratings have been calculated, including how different data collection approaches and funding allocation timings have been factored into assessments. We need to ensure the ratings fairly reflect genuine progress across different local authority areas – in the future, we believe local authorities should have the opportunity to verify data and clarify any factual questions before ratings are published, to ensure accuracy and build confidence in the system.”

This scepticism comes amid a backdrop of perceived failure by the Department for Transport (DfT) to properly fund local roads due to its inability to assess their condition accurately. A National Audit Office report from 2024 concluded that there were “significant gaps” in the DfT’s information on the condition of local roads, limiting its “understanding of condition of the network”.

The government has sought to overhaul the way that funding for LHAs is meted out, recently announcing a multi‑year £7.3bn settlement for local road maintenance over a four-year period from 2026–27 to 2029–30. Ministers say this will allow councils to renew and improve “tens of thousands of miles” of roads.

Jones said this funding arrangement was a “step forward”, but added, “it follows decades of underfunding that left local roads in a fragile state – it is just the start of what is needed to tackle the £17bn repair backlog that continues to grow”.

“Road condition isn’t simply a measure of council performance – it reflects historic funding levels, traffic volumes, network size and weather impacts,” she continued. “For many years, councils have been calling for multi-year funding certainty, so they can plan effectively and prioritise long term, preventative maintenance over costly reactive repairs.”

The interactive map and its purpose

The DfT’s new interactive Road Maintenance Ratings map shows  every LHA’s rating, to “highlight best practice and drive improved performance from councils”, it says.

Authorities judged to be “following best practice, such as investing in more long-term preventative measures rather than just patching up potholes, while also maintaining good road conditions and investing significantly into improving local roads” received green ratings. LHAs with amber ratings have “showed some of these qualities with room for improvement in individual areas”. Those receiving a red rating “are not yet meeting the expected standards in one or several areas measured by the ratings”.

Councils rated red will be offered a package of support, including peer reviews and expert planning assistance worth up to £300,000, the DfT said. Access to future funding will also be linked to performance, with ministers warning that full allocations could be withheld from underperforming authorities until improvements are demonstrated.

Officials emphasised transparency measures already applied to the current financial year’s funding uplift. Of the £500M uplift for local highway authorities, a quarter (£125M) was temporarily withheld pending publication of transparency reports explaining how councils comply with best practice. That withheld funding was released to councils that submitted the required reports by the end of last year.

The DfT will also extend the Live Labs 2 innovation programme – which is run in partnership with Adept – for a further year, offering up to £300,000 to councils exploring new approaches such as low‑carbon, longer‑lasting road surfacing materials. Ministers argue such materials could reduce both taxpayer costs and disruption from repeated repairs.

Jones said Adept welcomed the extension of the Live Labs 2 programme and that “Year 4 will focus on sharing best practice, ensuring that the insights and innovations developed through the programme are communicated across the sector to accelerate the adoption of new solutions to establish new ways of working”.

“This kind of practical support, alongside funding, is exactly what is needed to transform how we maintain our roads,” she added. The UK-wide £30M programme, funded by the Department for Transport, aims to decarbonise the local highways infrastructure network.

“With sustained investment and the right support, councils can focus on improving road conditions while managing the ongoing challenges of heavier vehicles, severe weather and third-party works that all impact our roads.”

‘Ratings are a positive move’

Other road stakeholders welcomed the new rating system.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “These new ratings are a positive move that will help drivers understand how councils are performing when it comes to improving the state of local roads. While there are examples of good road maintenance practice taking place, this isn’t consistent across the country and means drivers have, for too long, been left with substandard roads.

“We hope this initiative, plus the promise of longer-term funding for councils to allow them to plan and carry out much-needed preventative maintenance, means we’re finally on the way to having smoother, better roads.”

Kerry Winstanley, managing director of Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), said: “The release of the national ratings provides a clear opportunity to target support and strengthen the local road network where it is most needed.

“For many years, highways authorities have worked hard to maintain roads despite declining budgets and resources and the ratings, released alongside record multi-year investment, will enable authorities to benefit from additional support and increase investment in preventative maintenance, while continuing collaborative work supported by LCRIG, including sharing best practices, adopting innovative solutions, and working towards a nationally green-rated road network.”

Edmund King, AA president and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, said: “The top transport demand for 96% of AA members is fixing potholes with increased investment in repairing and upgrading roads.

“We welcome this government initiative to hold local highways authorities to account, which should help to promote the Pothole Partnership objective of more proactive and permanent repairs.”

Caroline Julian, brand and engagement director of British Cycling and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, said: “For cyclists, potholes are far more than an annoyance. One unexpected impact can cause a serious crash, life-changing injury or, in the worst cases, a fatality. Safe riding depends on safe roads, and a smooth, well-maintained surface isn’t a luxury for cyclists, it’s essential for their safety.

“This new mapping tool is a step forward. It gives riders clear insight into how well their council is maintaining the routes they rely on every day, whilst holding decision-makers to account.”

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