Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A new initiative in England will allow drivers to monitor how local authorities are addressing the issue of potholes through an interactive mapping tool combined with a colour-coded rating system. This system evaluates the condition of roads and the efficiency with which government allocations are used for repairs. Among the local authorities receiving a “red” rating for poor road conditions and inadequate use of funding are Cumberland, Bolton, Kensington and Chelsea, Bedford, West Northamptonshire, North Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire.
On the other hand, several councils, including Essex, Wiltshire, Coventry, Leeds, and Darlington, earned a “green” rating, reflecting their better management of road maintenance efforts, according to the Department for Transport (DfT) assessment. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander commented on the situation, stating that “drivers had been left to pay the price for too long,” emphasizing the urgency of improving road conditions.
The government has earmarked £7.3 billion over the next four years to repair roads, as announced in the Budget last November. The DfT evaluated 154 highway authorities across England, assigning each a rating of red, amber, or green based on road quality and fiscal management. Most fell into the amber category, indicating that while patching and preventative work is underway, there remains significant room for enhancement. Notably, Derbyshire, previously dubbed the “pothole capital of the UK,” scored the lowest among all councils for road upkeep. The RAC highlighted Derbyshire’s dramatic rise in compensation claims for pothole damage between 2021 and 2024, although Charlotte Hill, the council’s cabinet member for potholes, highways, and transport, reported a 72% drop in claims since May 2025.
Local authorities with red ratings will now receive additional aid, including £300,000 each, to boost their repair efforts. The government has indicated that future funding will be contingent on performance to ensure that councils manage taxpayer money responsibly and prioritize preventative maintenance before potholes appear. It is estimated that the UK has over a million potholes, with the RAC attributing 25,758 vehicle incidents in 2025 to poor road conditions. These damaged roads are linked to numerous serious injuries, accidents, and vehicular breakdowns every year. On average, motorists face repair costs around £590 due to pothole damage, with some experiencing expenses exceeding £1,000. Frequent vehicle issues caused by potholes include broken suspension springs, distorted wheels, and damaged shock absorbers. Heidi Alexander remarked that motorists are frustrated by having to pay for damage they believe “should never have to spend in the first place.”
Tom Hunt, chair of the Local Government Association’s Inclusive Growth Committee, welcomed the increased funding, calling it “a helpful step in the right direction.” He acknowledged the £17 billion backlog for road repairs faced by councils and noted that “long term funding certainty” combined with preventative strategies would benefit taxpayers by reducing repair needs. Meanwhile, shadow transport secretary Richard Holden criticized the approach, stating, “A map won’t stop tyres blowing or suspensions snapping. Motorists, already being squeezed tight by Labour, deserve real action to back them.”
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.