The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a new interactive map that ranks how well England’s local councils repair potholes and maintain roads.

It offers motorists an unprecedented look at local highway performance and how government funding is being spent.

This is the first time such data has been collated and presented in a comprehensive, public-facing traffic-light system, as the government seeks to cure the disintegrating national road network through record funding for local authorities.

Plotting change

The map evaluates 154 local highway authorities (LHAs) across England, assigning them a red, amber or green rating based on the condition of their roads and how effectively they use central government funding for maintenance and pothole repairs.

Green ratings reflect strong performance and investment in preventive measures; amber indicates mixed results, and red flags significant concerns about road condition or maintenance practices.

The government has promised record levels of maintenance grants to local authorities to repair road surfaces after decades of underfunding, which has led to a pothole crisis.

Mapping reality

Drivers are fully aware of the poor state of roads, especially when it results in repairs to damaged wheels, tyres and suspension.

Now they will be able to see at a glance how their local area is faring in what has become a perennial British frustration.

Councils such as Essex, Wiltshire, Leeds and Darlington scored green, suggesting they are investing strategically in long-term road health.

By contrast, 13 authorities, including Bedford, Bolton, Cumberland and Derbyshire, were placed in the red zone, highlighting patchy road surfaces and limited evidence of proactive management.

The majority of councils found themselves in the amber zone, where progress is evident but improvements are still needed.

The DfT says the ratings are based on three main factors: current road conditions, maintenance spending levels, and the adoption of recognised best practices rather than short-term, reactive patching.

 

 

A clearer view

However, the map has not been without controversy.

Some local authorities, such as Suffolk, have questioned the accuracy of the data used in their rating, saying they were not informed in advance of publication and plan to challenge their red classification.

Critics argue that the system does not fully account for local circumstances or investment constraints.

However, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander positioned the map as part of a drive for greater transparency and accountability.

She reiterates that the government’s record £7.3 billion road maintenance budget is designed to deliver real improvements, not just funding with no measurable outcomes.

Future funding allocations will be increasingly linked to performance, incentivising councils to adopt forward-looking strategies.

To support underperforming authorities, the DfT has pledged targeted help, including access to dedicated expert support to align practices with those of higher-rated councils.

Officials say this combination of scrutiny and support will help drive consistent benefits for drivers and communities.

Seeing effects

The arrival of the pothole map comes as many motorists continue to report damage and safety issues linked to poor road surfaces.

Independent estimates suggest repair bills for drivers can run into hundreds of pounds when a pothole causes damage, reinforcing the case for better maintenance and early prevention.

Road safety groups and motoring organisations have broadly welcomed the improved transparency, noting that it gives road users a more effective voice and enables better local scrutiny.

But many warn that ratings alone will not fix roads; meaningful improvements will depend on consistent investment, long-term planning and quality workmanship.

For now, the map offers the public a powerful new tool to hold authorities to account.

It could reshape how both local and national governments work to improve road conditions, including road safety and infrastructure, and how effectively public money is spent.

Motorists curious about their own area can explore the full, interactive map on the DfT’s website.