We asked the Department how it would know which funding mechanism was most effective without evaluation. The Department told us that it does not evaluate everything that it allocates to local authorities because it relies on them to exercise their statutory duties for local roads, and that local authorities do not necessarily ringfence their funding from the Department. The Department also told us that it has identified lessons from its recent evaluation of the pothole fund, such as around long-term funding and consistent data collection. Overall, the Department believes that spending 56 Written evidence submitted by Department for Transport 5 December 2024, ‘Local roads in England – Community Infrastructure Levy’ 57 Q 63 58 Written evidence submitted by the Department for Transport dated 5 December 2024, ‘Local roads in England – Follow up on Community Infrastructure Levy’ 59 C&AG’s Report, para 1.11 60 Q 37; C&AG’s Report, para 1.12 61 C&AG’s Report, 1.12 16 on local roads is good value for money, and so is not an area that it is particularly concerned about. The Department acknowledged, however that it should look to do more evaluation, with the work on a revised Code of Practice to local authorities providing an opportunity to do so.62