New Government Map Shows How South West Councils Are Fixing Potholes

Drivers across the South West can now see how well their council is dealing with potholes, after the Government published a new traffic light rating system ahead of National Pothole Day on January 15.

The ratings are the first of their kind and show how each local highway authority is performing when it comes to fixing roads and using record Government funding.

Red, Amber or Green for Road Repairs

The new system grades local highway authorities as red, amber or green, based on the current condition of their roads and how effectively they are spending the Government’s £1.5 billion funding for the South West.

Authorities rated green, including Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, were able to demonstrate that they are following best practice. This includes investing in long term preventative maintenance rather than relying on short term pothole repairs, while also maintaining good road conditions and putting significant funding into improving local roads.

Amber rated authorities showed some of these qualities but with room for improvement in certain areas. Red rated councils are not yet meeting expected standards in one or more areas, such as the state of their roads, plans for preventing potholes or wider investment in maintenance.

An interactive map showing every local highway authority rating is now live, allowing the public to see how their council is performing. The map can be viewed here: https://maps.dft.gov.uk/local-road-maintenance-ratings-map/index.html

Government Says Funding Must Deliver Results

Heidi Alexander said drivers in the South West have paid the price for poor road conditions for too long.

“For too long drivers in the South West have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate. I have heard time and again their frustration on footing the bill because they hit a pothole – money they should never have to spend in the first place.

“We’ve put our money where our mouth is, increasing the funding in the South West with £1.5 billion to fix roads and given them the long-term certainty they have been asking for. 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 local highway authorities are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.

“This Government’s record investment will save drivers money on repairs, make roads safer and help restore pride in our communities.”

Wiltshire Welcomes Green Rating

Wiltshire Council was among the authorities to receive a green rating.

Cllr Martin Smith said the recognition reflected the work already being carried out.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition from the Department for Transport, as it illustrates how the hard work of our teams is paying off here in Wiltshire. We have committed to creating well-maintained, safer roads in Our Wiltshire Plan, and it is a top priority for us. This rating reflects the hard work and investment we’ve put into preventative maintenance and innovative solutions. However, we know there is so much more to do and we will continue to build on this success to deliver the best possible road network for Wiltshire’s residents and businesses.”

How the Ratings Work

The red, amber and green ratings are based on three key areas. These are the condition of local roads, how much councils are spending on road repairs, and whether they are following best practice in maintaining highways.

Local highway authorities currently rated red will receive dedicated support to help bring them up to standard. This includes £300,000 worth of expert planning and capability assistance, along with peer reviews where sector specialists will provide practical advice.

Future access to full funding allocations will be linked to performance, encouraging councils to focus on preventative maintenance before potholes form.

Why It Matters for Drivers and Cyclists

The Government says moving away from short term fixes will help save drivers money. The average vehicle repair bill after hitting a pothole is around £320, with some motorists paying more than £1,000 last year.

Nationally, the Government has committed £7.3 billion for local road maintenance, enough to renew and improve tens of thousands of miles of roads across the country.

Edmund King from the AA said fixing potholes remains the top transport priority for its members.

“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 from British Cycling said potholes pose serious risks for cyclists.

“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.”

Simon Williams from the RAC said the ratings should help drivers better understand council performance, while Kerry Winstanley from the Local Council Roads Innovation Group said the data provides an opportunity to target support where it is most needed.

The announcement comes in the same week the Government unveiled the first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, aimed at saving thousands of lives on the nation’s roads.