en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK councils will be required for the first time to publicly report on the quality and effectiveness of their road repairs, aiming to end the cycle of repeatedly patching potholes. According to new guidance issued by the Department for Transport, from September 2026, councils across England must publicly demonstrate whether their road repairs use preventive measures and full resurfacing schemes, rather than just short-term fixes. This transparency report will allow the public to assess the actual effectiveness of their council's response to potholes and understand the specific number of roads requiring resurfacing.

The UK government has allocated a record £7.3 billion in long-term road funding to local authorities to reverse the proliferation of potholes. The new guidance will update the Red, Amber, Green (RAG) rating system released by the government earlier this year to measure the progress of each council. Councils rated green can demonstrate they follow best practices, such as investing in long-term pothole prevention measures and comprehensive road resurfacing, rather than merely filling potholes. If a council fails to comply with the new guidance or does not publish its report on time, nearly one-third of its funding this year will be withheld to ensure transparency for taxpayers.

Roads and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood stated that for too long, short-term work has been prioritised over genuine long-term repairs, a practice that will change with the introduction of the new guidance. Councils will need to show not only how many potholes they have filled, but also what measures they have taken to avoid repeatedly repairing the same pothole. This funding is supported by a record £7.3 billion investment to help councils carry out long-term road repairs. As pothole-related damage costs an average of £500, the plan will help motorists save money and enable organisations such as emergency services and organ donation charities to reduce vehicle repair costs caused by road damage, with some forced to spend thousands of pounds annually repairing their life-saving vehicles.

All councils rated red will receive additional support from the government, including a total of £300,000 in expert assistance to raise council standards and repair more roads. Kerry Winstanley, Managing Director of the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), said the guidance represents a significant step forward in how local road maintenance performance is measured and reported, making the Red, Amber, Green ratings more measurable, comparable, and meaningful nationwide. David Giles, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, commented that the new guidance, supported by commitments to increased investment, longer funding cycles, and stronger accountability, will support highway teams in moving away from the endless cycle of pothole patching, improving the condition and resilience of local roads.

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