Councils Rank Among Worst for Road Repairs

Councils in the HFM region have been named among the worst in the country for pothole repairs and road maintenance.

Under a new government traffic-light system, Leicestershire County Council and West Northamptonshire Council are among 13 authorities to have been given the lowest, ‘red’ rating.

North Northamptonshire has been classed as ‘amber’.

The new ratings – the first of their kind – grade authorities as red, amber or green based on current road condition, as well as how effectively they are spending extra government funding to fix potholes and invest in long term measures to maintain roads.

The system is designed to provide greater transparency for drivers and as an incentive to better roads, councils’ access to full future funding allocations will be linked to performance.

Leicestershire County Council said its overall ‘red’ rating related to one of the three areas assessed and not the quality of the roads or the maintenance itself.

HFM asked people in Market Harborough their opinion on the condition of roads in the area:

The Department for Transport said ‘red’ authorities will receive “dedicated support to bring them into line with best practices” through a £300,000 programme.

Cllr Adam Tilbury, lead member for highways and transport at Leicestershire County Council, said: “The ‘red rating’ was for one of three areas we were assessed on and relates to how we reported spending on maintenance, not the quality of our roads or the way we look after them.

“We may have interpreted the spending question too narrowly and will be speaking to the DFT to clarify our position and response.

“The latest National Highways Transport Network (NHT) survey places us in the top 25% of comparable authorities for satisfaction with road conditions and we’ll continue to work hard to deliver high standards for residents.”

West Northamptonshire Council says the Government’s rating is based on early 2025 data and does not reflect recent improvements.

The council said it has increased investment in sustainable repairs and filled more potholes than in the last five years.

Cllr Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We welcome the Government’s continued recognition that long‑term, predictable funding is essential to tackling the legacy of road deterioration, and we will of course engage positively with any additional support or expertise offered through the Department for Transport’s improvement programmes.

“As a council covering one of the largest unitary highway networks in the country, with a mix of urban, rural and strategic routes, we remain committed to continuous improvement and to adopting best practice wherever it delivers better outcomes for residents.

“We look forward to the opportunity to meet with the DfT to discuss our investment programme, our use of innovative technology, and how future assessments can best reflect progress being made on the ground.”

North Northamptonshire Council has been approached for comment.