England ranks councils on pothole repairs; red-rated ones get £300K support amid £1.6B road funding.

England’s drivers can now view their local councils’ pothole repair performance via a new traffic light rating system from the Department for Transport. The tool grades 154 highway authorities as green, amber, or red based on road conditions and funding use. Red-rated councils, including Cumberland, Bolton, and Kensington and Chelsea, will receive £300,000 in support. Green-rated areas like Essex, Wiltshire, and Leeds are recognized for proactive maintenance. The government allocated nearly £1.6 billion for road maintenance in 2025/26, a £500 million rise, with part of the funds held until councils submit spending plans. A total of £7.3 billion is pledged through 2029/30. Pothole damage averages £590 in repair costs beyond punctures. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the investment aims to cut driver expenses and improve safety. Industry groups welcomed the transparency, though critics note funding alone won’t fix immediate damage.