Pothole Road Maintenance Ratings must underpin long term road renewal, says Logistics UK

The government has published a new traffic light rating system that allows drivers across the UK to see how well their local highway authority is tackling potholes.

154 local highway authorities are rated as red, amber or green depending on current road conditions and how effectively £7.3 billion of government funding is being directed to fix potholes.

Responding to the publication (11 January), Jonathan Walker, Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy at Logistics UK commented:

“The Road Maintenance Ratings announced today are a positive step towards greater transparency and accountability in local highway authorities, ensuring roads are in good condition.

“Potholes cost the UK economy over £14.4 billion a year, largely because of longer journey times as drivers attempt to limit damage to their vehicles, and a well-maintained road network is critical for the UK’s logistics sector and the nation’s economic prosperity.

“However, for logistics operators, the ultimate goal is not simply more pothole repairs, but a decisive shift towards planned, preventative maintenance and investment.

“Long‑term programmes that resurface and renew roads before they fail are far more cost effective than reactive, short-term maintenance activity that does little to address the underlying deterioration that disrupts supply chains, increases vehicle operating costs and undermines road safety.”