Government ranks UK councils on pothole repairs, with Leeds and Manchester among top performers, while Bolton and others lag behind
Government Reveals Pothole Management Ratings for Local Councils
Potholes cause irritation and car damage to many drivers.
Drivers frustrated by unfilled potholes can now see how their local councils are addressing the bumpy roads.
The Government has released a red, amber, and green traffic light system showing which local highway authorities (LHA) are falling behind.
| Rating | Examples of Councils |
|---|---|
| Red | Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness, Bolton, Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, West Northamptonshire, Bedford, Slough, Suffolk, Waltham Forest, Kensington and Chelsea, Greenwich |
| Amber | Transport for London, other councils |
| Green | Leeds, Manchester, Lewisham, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Wigan, Rotherham, Sandwell, Coventry, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, West Berkshire, Portsmouth, Essex, Hillingdon |
The colors grade each area based on the current condition of their roads and how effectively they spend road maintenance funding.
While most councils were ranked amber, many areas in the UK were flagged as red, indicating serious concerns.
‘Red’ councils were assessed as below expected standards in one or more areas and will receive £300,000 for planning and capability assistance.
The Department for Transport stated that ‘green’ councils, like Leeds, Manchester, and Lewisham, follow best practices by investing in long-term preventive measures instead of just patching potholes.
‘Amber’ ranked LHAs showed some of these qualities but need improvement in certain areas.
In last year’s budget, the government committed £7.3 billion for local road maintenance funding over four years.
The government also pledged an extra £500 million for the current financial year but withheld a quarter until councils outlined their spending plans.
The worst offending councils outside London include Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness, Bolton, Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, West Northamptonshire, Bedford, Slough, and Suffolk.
Three London councils—Waltham Forest, Kensington and Chelsea, and Greenwich—were also rated red.
Transport for London received an overall rating of amber.
The most effective London councils, ranked green, were Lewisham and Hillingdon.
Green LHAs outside the capital include Middlesbrough, Darlington, Leeds, Wigan, Manchester, Rotherham, Sandwell, Coventry, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, West Berkshire, Portsmouth, and Essex.
All other councils were rated amber by the Department for Transport.
The data was released days after a large pothole damaged the tyres of 14 cars in one evening on a motorway slip road in Hampshire, which is rated amber.
This hole caused severe damage to vehicles and led to traffic buildup on the A303.
The RAC estimates that a typical repair bill for a family car suffering pothole damage beyond a puncture is £590.
Pothole-related issues can include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs, and distorted wheels.
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, increasing funding for local highway authorities with £7.3 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 ensuring the public can see how well councils are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.’
Tory transport spokesman Richard Holden MP remarked, ‘It is refreshing to have Labour ministers laying bare just how badly Labour-run councils handle basic road repairs.’
He added, ‘If you live in Bolton, Waltham Forest, Greenwich, or any other Labour council up for election, this map is a warning label.’
