Drivers across England are about to get a much clearer view of how their local councils are tackling one of the nation’s most frustrating road hazards: potholes. On January 11, 2026, the Department for Transport (DfT) unveiled a new traffic light rating system—complete with an interactive map—that grades all 154 local highway authorities on their effectiveness in repairing and preventing potholes. This move comes alongside a record £7.3 billion government investment, announced in the November 2025 Budget, to overhaul the country’s battered road network over the next four years.
The new system rates councils as green, amber, or red based on three main criteria: the current condition of local roads, how much each council is spending on repairs, and whether they are following best practices in highway maintenance. According to the BBC, only 16 English local highway authorities achieved a coveted green rating for road maintenance, while the majority landed in the amber category—demonstrating some good qualities but still leaving room for improvement. Thirteen councils, including Cumberland, Bolton, Kensington and Chelsea, Bedford, West Northamptonshire, North Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire, received a red rating, indicating significant shortcomings.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander explained the rationale behind the new system, telling the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, "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." She emphasized that the government’s record investment would "save drivers money on repairs, make roads safer and help restore pride in our communities." Alexander also stressed the importance of transparency, noting that the public now has a mechanism to see exactly how their council is spending government funds on road repairs.
Under the new system, green-rated councils—such as Leeds, Sandwell, Manchester, Essex, Wiltshire, Coventry, and Darlington—were recognized for following best practices, including investing in long-term preventative measures rather than merely patching up potholes. Neighbouring Portsmouth, for instance, was rated green in all areas, while Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council received amber ratings overall. Southampton was rated green for its spending on road repairs, and Hampshire was commended for the condition of its roads.
Amber-rated councils, which make up the bulk of the ratings, have demonstrated some positive features but still have work to do. Red-rated councils, on the other hand, are not meeting expected standards in one or more areas, such as road condition, investment, or preventative planning. These councils will receive dedicated support, including £300,000 in expert planning and capability assistance, to help them catch up. The DfT said future funding would be "linked to performance" to encourage efficient use of taxpayer money and ensure councils are incentivized to maintain their roads before potholes even form.
The new map and rating system are part of a broader government push to address what some have called a national pothole crisis. Labour highlighted the issue with new data showing only 16 councils received a green rating, underscoring the scale of the challenge. According to the DfT, England’s councils face a £17 billion backlog of road repairs. The government’s £7.3 billion commitment is intended to make a dent in that backlog, with £1.6 billion earmarked for road maintenance in 2025/26 alone—a £500 million increase from the previous year.
For drivers, the cost of pothole damage is more than just an annoyance. The RAC estimates that the average repair bill for a family car suffering damage beyond a puncture is £590, with some motorists paying more than £1,000. Common problems include broken suspension springs, damaged shock absorbers, and distorted wheels. In 2025 alone, the UK saw more than one million potholes, leading to 25,758 incidents, according to the RAC. The motoring group says that damaged roads are responsible for dozens of serious injuries, accidents, and breakdowns each year.
The new ratings system has been welcomed by motoring and cycling groups alike. Edmund King, president of the AA and a 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, highlighted the safety risks for cyclists, stating, "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."
The government’s approach is not just about doling out money. To ensure councils are using funds effectively, 25% of the £500 million funding uplift for this financial year was withheld until councils published transparency reports detailing their compliance with best practices. By the end of 2025, £125 million was unlocked by councils that had met these requirements. Additionally, the government is extending the Live Labs 2 programme for another year, offering up to £300,000 to help councils adopt innovative, longer-lasting, and low-carbon materials for road repairs. These advances, according to the Department for Transport, could help unlock savings for taxpayers, lower emissions, and reduce disruptive roadworks in the long term.
The announcement of the new rating system comes in the same week the government launched the first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade. The strategy aims to save thousands of lives by tackling issues such as drink-driving, improving training for young drivers, and introducing mandatory eye tests for older motorists. As Kerry Winstanley, Managing Director of the Local Council Roads Innovation Group, put it, "The release of the national ratings provides a clear opportunity to target support and strengthen the local road network where it is most needed."
Despite the positive response from many quarters, not everyone is convinced the new map will solve the problem overnight. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden argued, "A map won't stop tyres blowing or suspensions snapping. Motorists, already being squeezed tight by Labour, deserve real action to back them." Tom Hunt, chair of the Local Government Association's Inclusive Growth Committee, echoed the call for long-term funding certainty, saying, "Only longer-term funding certainty will help councils more effectively plan for future maintenance schemes, focusing more on preventative measures – which will ultimately save the taxpayer money and reduce the need for repairs – and able to invest in innovation."
For now, England’s drivers and cyclists have more information than ever before about how their local authorities are performing. Whether this transparency leads to smoother, safer roads remains to be seen, but the pressure is on councils to deliver real results—and for the government to keep the money flowing where it’s needed most.
