Is your council really tackling potholes in your area?
January 12, 2026 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Frustrated by potholes? Here’s how well your council is actually fixing them.
Wondering if your local council is dealing with the pothole problem? Well, you can now check how well roads near you are being maintained thanks to a new “traffic light” rating system.
The ratings, published by the government for the first time, give 154 local highway authorities (LHAs) a red, amber, or green score based on road condition, investment in repairs, and adherence to best practice.
The interactive map allows motorists to to see at a glance which councils are excelling and which still have work to do. It comes alongside a record £7.3bn government fund aimed at fixing potholes and supporting long-term road maintenance.
Click the map below to see how your council is tackling potholes:
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Fixing potholes for good
The new ratings aim to make road maintenance more transparent while encouraging councils to spend funds efficiently.
“For too long, drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate,” said transport secretary Heidi Alexander. “Now it’s over to councils to spend the money wisely, and for the first time, we are making sure the public can see how well councils are doing.”
Potholes can be expensive for drivers, with average repair bills around £320. Some motorists even paid over £1,000 for repairs last year.
The government hopes the new funding, combined with long-term planning, will reduce these costs by moving away from short-term patchwork fixes toward preventative maintenance.
The initiative has been welcomed by many road safety and motoring groups. Edmund King, AA president, said it addresses “the top transport demand for 96% of AA members: fixing potholes.”
Meanwhile, RAC head of policy Simon Williams described the ratings as “a positive move” that could lead to smoother, safer roads nationwide.
How the ratings work
LHAs are scored based on three key factors:
- Road condition – how safe and smooth local roads are.
- Spending on repairs – whether councils are investing wisely.
- Adoption of best practice – using preventative measures to reduce future potholes.
Councils that scored green, such as Leeds, Sandwell, and Manchester, are already investing in long-term fixes rather than temporary patching. Amber authorities are showing progress but have room for improvement, while red councils are falling short in one or more areas.
Authorities rated red will receive expert support worth £300,000 to help them meet best-practice standards, including peer reviews and practical guidance. Future funding will also be linked to performance, creating an incentive for councils to keep roads in good condition.
Looking ahead
The new traffic light system is part of a wider effort to improve transport safety and infrastructure. Last week, the government also unveiled its first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, tackling issues from drink-driving to mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
With tens of thousands of miles of roads set to benefit from the £7.3bn investment, the new ratings give drivers a way to hold councils accountable – and see which ones are actually tackling the pothole problem.
You can explore the full interactive map of local authority ratings here.
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