Drivers across England can now see how well local highway authorities (LHA) are tackling potholes thanks to a new traffic light rating system published by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The new ratings – the first of their kind – grade a total of 154 LHAs as red, amber or green in an effort to get councils to repair potholes effectively, move away from expensive, short-term repairs and instead invest in long-term preventative measures.
An interactive map shows every LHA’s rating, and these are based on three key factors:
. the condition of local roads
. how much LHAs are spending on road repairs
. whether they are following best practice in maintaining highways
To boost standards, the DfT said LHAs currently rated red will receive dedicated support to bring them in line with best practice, backed by £300,000 worth of expert planning and capability assistance.
This support programme will include peer reviews where sector experts will help improve processes and provide practical advice.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long, drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate.
“We’ve put our money where our mouth is, increasing the 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 making sure the public can see how well councils are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.”
