Drivers across England can now see how well their local highway authority is tackling the pothole plague thanks to a new traffic light rating system published by the Government yesterday (Sunday).
Drivers across England can now see how well their local highway authority is tackling the pothole plague thanks to a new traffic light rating system published by the Government yesterday (Sunday).
West Berkshire is noted as one of the best in the country, scoring green on the new red, amber and green ratings – the first of their kind. The ratings cover 154 councils and judge current road condition and how effectively they are spending the Government’s record £7.3bn to fix potholes and invest in long-term maintenance.
The interactive map shows every council’s rating to highlight best practice and drive improved performance. The average vehicle repair bill from hitting potholes is around £320, with some motorists paying over £1,000 last year.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long drivers 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 for local highway authorities with £7.3bn 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 councils are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.”
The ratings are based on three things: local road condition, how much authorities spend on repairs, and whether they follow best practice in maintaining highways. Green councils like West Berkshire demonstrated they invest in long-term preventative measures rather than just patching potholes.
Access to full future funding allocations will be linked to performance, intended to push councils to use taxpayer money efficiently to repair and maintain roads before potholes form.
Edmund King, AA president and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, said: “The top transport demand for 96 per cent 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.”
Locally, West Berkshire Council recently changed its repair threshold. Where it previously only fixed holes 50mm (2in) deep or more, it will now repair holes 40mm (1.6in) deep if the width is greater than 300mm (11.8in). The council says this means around 20 per cent more repairs – roughly 600 extra potholes a year – and will cost an additional £400,000 in the first year, then about £200,000 extra annually.
Motorist reports spiked: in March 2024 motorists reported 16 times as many potholes on the district’s roads than during the same period in 2023. Just under 1,900 potholes were reported between January and February 2024; in 2023 the figure for the same period was 116.
Stuart Gourley (Lib Dem, Newbury Clay Hill), the council’s executive member for environment and highways, said: “By changing the depth at which we will repair potholes, we can ensure a smoother and safer journey for everyone in West Berkshire.”
Caroline Julian, brand and engagement director of British Cycling and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, added: “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.”
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
