Pothole recording and maintenance
Failures by highway inspectors to adequately record developing potholes and absence of paint markings, hindering timely repairs.
1,264 items
5 sources
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Pothole recording and maintenance has been flagged across 5 independent accountability sources:
51 PFD reports
33 committee recs
5 NAO recs
1 IMB report
1174 LGO/SPSO decisions
When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
PFD Reports (51) — showing 50 strongest matches
William McCourt
Concerns: Local residents' reports of flooding were not recorded or acted upon, and maintenance staff failed to correctly identify land ownership, leading to significant delays in addressing a safety hazard.
Response (North Yorkshire County Council): North Yorkshire County Council acknowledged concerns, clarified the context of some decisions, and circulated further advice to highways officers regarding recording of actionable defects and warning signs.
Responded
Gavin Roberts
Concerns: The current 60mph speed limit for a specific bend is too high, and warning signs are inadequate, particularly as the limit increases on approach, contributing to repeated incidents.
Overdue
Sukbir Singh Rana & Mandip Singh
Concerns: The appropriateness of a 60 MPH speed limit on a bending country lane with limited lighting is questioned, as the maximum theoretical safe speed for the bend is also 60 MPH.
Overdue
Joanna Greensmith
Concerns: Road safety was compromised by a failure to treat the surface according to adverse weather plans and by the Route Steward not reporting hazardous running water across the carriageway.
Responded
Tracey Rooke
Concerns: Identified road signage issues, including location and condition, were not addressed by the Highways Authority, which delayed action until a Coroner's report was issued, despite earlier recommendations.
Overdue
Nicholas Stocks
Concerns: Police failed to fully report road traffic collision concerns to the council, and there are inadequate systems for risk assessment and urgent communication of needed repairs to damaged road signs and markings.
Response (West Yorkshire Police): West Yorkshire Police reviewed reporting processes for damage to street furniture, ensuring updated contact details for local authorities and using generic mailboxes. They have updated the Force Communications system with …
Overdue
John Clarke
Concerns: The City Council's highway inspection system and asset database were ineffective, failing to identify a missing road sign and defective lighting for years, significantly hindering remedial action and posing a risk to road safety.
Response: The City Council has measures in place or to be implemented to maintain an accurate inventory of traffic signs, ensure remedial work is ordered promptly, and update the inventory database. …
Responded
Jan Bodnar
Concerns: Dangerous plant growth on a central reservation severely restricted driver visibility at a junction, requiring regular maintenance and review of similar junctions.
Response (Hertfordshire Council): The Council cleared vegetation at a specific junction in July 2015. They also carried out an assessment of similar junctions, identifying 6 requiring vegetation clearance, which is planned for July …
Responded
Lee Nauman
Concerns: The road surface had a crumbling edge, pothole, and debris, which may have contributed to a loss of control. Review and remedial action on these road conditions are needed.
Response (Bradford Metropolitan District Council): Bradford Metropolitan District Council filled potholes and patched the carriageway on Lee Lane following an inspection related to the Regulation 28 notification. They suggest the accident was likely caused by …
Responded
Harold Davies
Concerns: A junction has a history of multiple fatalities, but proposed remedial safety works lack funding and commencement dates. There are also concerns about the national speed limit on the approach and insufficient warning signs.
Response (National Highways): Highways England has discussed the coroner's report with relevant parties and is seeking funding for an accident remedial scheme designed by AOne+ involving interactive signs, clearer markings, and improved signage. …
Response (A One): A-one+ acknowledges the coroner's concerns and states that they have made safety recommendations to Highways England regarding the junction. However, they state that it is Highways England's responsibility to secure …
Response (Nottinghamshire County Council): Nottinghamshire County Council acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding accidents at the A46/Station Road junction but states that the Trunk Road is the responsibility of Highways England, and they defer to …
Responded
Charles Pitcher
Concerns: The bridge barrier is too easy to bypass, leading to multiple suicides, and current safety measures are inadequate compared to other significant bridges.
Overdue
Colin Wellings
Concerns: Current legislation exempts older, powerful vehicles from essential safety requirements like helmets or seatbelts, posing significant risks to riders and other road users.
Response (Department for Transport): The Department for Transport acknowledges the concerns, explains current regulations regarding tricycle helmets and licensing, and notes that changes to collision reporting codes and helmet regulations are not planned but …
Responded
Vichal Tonpradit
Concerns: A raised section of tarmac separating a motorway slip road from the main carriageway caused a motorcyclist to fall, leading to fatal injuries.
Response (National Highways): National Highways obscured a redundant road marking with bituminous material. A Smart Motorway scheme is planned for 2020 that will alter the road layout.
Responded
Philip Evanson
Concerns: Road markings on the A49 Tarporley Road, specifically the ghost island, lane dividers, and right turn arrows, are significantly worn and indistinct, posing a safety risk.
Overdue
Cameron Chadwick
Concerns: A pothole exceeding the minimum depth for repair was present in the carriageway, contributing to a fatal accident.
Response (Wigan Council): Following the report, the council measured the pothole depth and repaired it, both temporarily and permanently. They assert this was done despite the pothole not meeting the threshold for intervention …
Responded
Katherine Vanloo
Concerns: There was a severe 7-month delay in pothole repair, exacerbated by the County Council's lack of a system to track works orders or audit completion and quality, leading to the wrong repair being performed.
Response (Warwickshire County Council): The Highways Safety Inspectors now use handheld devices to upload pothole details directly into the County Council's database. The Highways team has direct access to Confirm which displays a dashboard …
Responded
Roger Hamer
Concerns: Inadequate highway inspection practices failed to document carriageway deterioration, and a proposed new management procedure risks increasing deaths, particularly for cyclists, by raising the threshold for defect investigation and repair.
Response (Bury Council): Bury Council, as Highway Authority, states that all Highway Inspectors are scheduled to undergo specific training and competency checks to ensure they understand how to undertake their role under the …
Response (Department for Transport): The Department for Transport acknowledges the concerns but notes that local highway authorities have a duty to maintain the highways network in their area and that Central Government has no …
Responded
Darryl Souza
Concerns: Compromised visibility at a crossroads junction, despite existing signage, necessitates urgent improvements like renewed signs, rumble strips, and "Stop" signs, but these lack an implementation timeframe.
Response (Northamptonshire County Council): Northamptonshire County Council will introduce 'rumble strips' in advance of the Clipston junction and convert the junction to a 'Stop' requirement, aiming to complete the work by the end of …
Responded
Darren Trewin
Concerns: A partially blocked road drain caused water to cascade across the carriageway, and inadequate safety barriers failed to prevent a vehicle from leaving the road where the ground dropped steeply.
Response (Highway England): Highways England has flagged the location as a flooding 'hotspot' with weekly inspections. They are planning to install an additional gully, conduct a wider drainage study, and undertake a Road …
Responded
Mark Nicols
Concerns: Inadequate signage and lighting at a construction site made pedestrian path access unclear, risking public safety, with no indication that future similar situations would be handled differently.
Responded
Paul Fairey
Concerns: Obscured street lighting, faded road markings, and an ineffective speed cushion created hazardous road conditions, compromising pedestrian and motorist safety.
Response (Lewisham): Lewisham Council arranged for the cutting back of tree foliage and remarked the northbound and southbound "SLOW" markings. The council proposed to reconstruct the speed cushions near pedestrian refuge crossing …
Responded
Nana Boateng
Concerns: Significantly worn road markings and non-functional cat's eyes on a sharp bend create a hazard, potentially causing drivers to lose positional awareness and cross onto the opposite side of the highway.
Response (Wiltshire Council): The council has arranged for relaying of the road markings on the bend, with work to be completed by the end of October.
Responded
Joshua Edwards
Concerns: Ambulance response was delayed by public event road closures and unclear authority for crews to cross them. Event organizers need to brief staff and public on emergency vehicle priority.
Response (Leeds City Council): Following a previous incident, the Ambulance Service implemented learning points, including education for staff. The council hosts a joint emergency services/council Safety Advisory Group and has discussed the events of …
Responded
Jacqueline Valvona
Concerns: A lack of safe pedestrian crossing on a busy road near a popular pub, especially for elderly residents with mobility issues, may lead to future deaths.
Response (Island Roads): Island Roads will undertake a further pedestrian survey in the summer months to determine vehicle and pedestrian numbers during peak tourist season, and then assess the suitability of a new …
Response (Isle of Wight Council): The Isle of Wight Council instructed Island Roads to undertake a feasibility study and design for a pedestrian controlled crossing and will undertake a further assessment in the summer to …
Responded
Freda Mason
Concerns: The council's reactive bus shelter maintenance system, relying only on public complaints, lacks a proactive inspection regime, leading to delays in identifying and repairing safety issues.
Response: The organisation will instruct staff visiting bus shelters to inspect and report damage, write to bus operators requesting they report damage, introduce a more prominent 'Report It' notice for the …
Overdue
Richard Phillips
Concerns: A known problem of water running and freezing on a road descent created hazardous icy conditions, contributing to a fatal collision and highlighting unresolved road safety issues.
Response (Dorset Council): Dorset Council has resurfaced the section of the B3091 where the accident took place, adjusting the camber to improve ride quality and drainage. They will continue to inspect the section …
Responded
Ahmed Motala
Concerns: The poor condition of the cycle lane forces cyclists into traffic, creating a dangerous situation and risking future lives if not repaired.
Response (Gloucestershire County Council): The council's Safety Inspection Team assessed the site and found no actionable safety defects, but noted the red surfacing is stripping away. Cole Avenue is in the resurfacing program for …
Responded
Barbara Henderson
Concerns: Road inspections conducted at speed failed to identify a critical drain problem, indicating an inadequate inspection process that needs urgent review.
Response (National Highways): Highways England will issue a memorandum to all Areas highlighting the importance of inspection and defect rectification for recessed gullies. Area 8 will move to the new Asset Delivery approach …
Responded
Jason Imi
Concerns: The absence of a footpath and street lighting near a hotel entrance on a main road forces pedestrians to cross in darkness with poor visibility, creating a significant risk of collision.
Response (The Highways Authority): • The Highways Authority met with the Police on 7th August 2018 to review the circumstances around the crash. • The Highways Authority will monitor and review pedestrian activity in …
Responded
Costel Stancu
Concerns: The lack of lighting on a section of the motorway is an ongoing risk, having contributed to collisions, and its safety implications were not reassessed during the 'smart motorway' conversion.
Response (National Highways): National Highways will conduct a lighting assessment on the M6 between junctions 16 and 19, and complete the final Road Safety Audit (Stage 4) by Summer 2020.
Responded
Gary Sloan
Concerns: A specific section of the A690 has a high incidence of collisions, including two fatal incidents at the same location, necessitating a review of safety restrictions and drainage.
Response (Sunderland City Council): Sunderland City Council will include a scheme in its 2020-2021 capital programme to mitigate the risk of serious injury to drivers on the A690. The council will replace a side …
Responded
Ryan Taylor
Concerns: Converging surface water on the A390, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, creates a significant aquaplaning risk. Feasible drainage improvements have not yet been implemented despite a previous incident.
Response (Cormac and Cornwall Council): Cornwall Council will erect signs warning of surface water, replace gully grids with larger capacity gratings in October, and undertake detailed drainage and topographical surveys. Further upgrades to the drainage …
Responded
Jennifer Dyer
Concerns: East Sussex's pothole categorisation system is flawed, as a "low risk" pothole led to a fatality, indicating the need for a significant review of risk assessment criteria.
Response (East Sussex County Council): East Sussex County Council has introduced an enhanced risk-based approach for highway safety inspections, allowing inspectors to re-categorise potholes based on location and road usage, not just size. A separate …
Responded
Charles Stringer
Concerns: The council demonstrated a lack of reflection and action on pothole management, with insufficient information for inspectors, mechanistic risk assessments, poor communication, and slow repairs.
Response (Surrey County Council): Surrey County Council has reinforced the process for Surrey Police and the Surrey Contact Centre to notify the Highways Service immediately in the event of serious injuries or deaths related …
Responded
Adam Simms
Concerns: Blocked drainage gullies were missed during inspections, causing significant standing water on the carriageway. The unexplained accumulation of water indicates an ongoing highway safety risk.
Response (North Lincolnshire Council): North Lincolnshire Council concludes that the event was unforeseeable due to extreme rainfall and that no further action is needed, as subsequent inspections found no standing water.
Responded
Mervyn Holbrook
Concerns: A worn-down kerb, mistaken for an official crossing, enabled a mobility scooter user to enter the carriageway unsafely. Highways dismissed the defect as not meeting repair levels, despite the clear hazard it poses to vulnerable road users.
Response (Birmingham City Council): The council amended the kerb height at the specified location in early January 2023. A review of kerb defect information is underway to identify similar locations, with completion expected by …
Responded
Ryan Taylor
Concerns: Inadequate road drainage at a specific location causes dangerous surface water accumulation during heavy rainfall, leading to aquaplaning incidents that could be prevented by feasible improvements.
Response (Cormac and Cornwall Council): Cormac and Cornwall Council report that they have completed significant drainage improvements in the area of the accident, including installing nearly 500m of combined kerb drainage and increasing the capacity …
Responded
Benjamin Teague
Concerns: The A5 road between Pottersbury and Paulesbury is in a very poor state with potholes, posing a highway safety risk that requires urgent attention and repair from National Highways.
Response (National Highways): National Highways increased safety inspections to twice weekly, imposed a 40mph speed limit, and completed resurfacing works on sections of the A5. Safety improvements were also implemented at the Paulerspury …
Responded
Elsie Murphy
Concerns: A persistent puddle at a specific location, caused by an ineffective drain, creates an ongoing slipping hazard that has led to previous accidents and risks future falls if not remedied.
Response (Cumberland Council): Cumberland Council has clarified land ownership, installed additional drainage, and investigated potential issues with United Utilities' systems, who have now repaired their system and are monitoring it.
Overdue
Jane Bennett
Concerns: Mould in council-owned properties, including the deceased's, poses a risk to tenant health, requiring urgent inspection and action to minimize exposure.
Response (Mansfield District Council): The council has updated its website to provide further guidance on damp, mould and condensation, trialling environmental monitoring devices for placement in tenant’s homes, increased the capacity of the inspection …
Responded
John Thomas
Concerns: Known highway defects, including surface water and flooding, were not remedied by the local authority, posing a clear risk of future fatal road incidents.
Response (Denbigshire County Council): Denbighshire County Council has cleared drainage gullies and channels on the A539, erected warning signs alerting motorists to the possibility of water or ice and this culvert will now be …
Responded
Joanne Constable
Concerns: The local authority lacks systems to record, track, and confirm action on highway complaints and defects, meaning reported hazards may not be remedied and posing a clear risk of future fatal road incidents.
Response (Cambridgeshire County Council): Cambridgeshire County Council will implement a new highways management system for single source records. The Green Infrastructure Team will proactively manage areas of known risk and identify similar locations across …
Responded
Natalie Mountford
Concerns: A known accident black spot, exacerbated by uninvestigated water sources on the road, alongside Wessex Water's failure to log and act on reported leaks, poses a significant ongoing risk of icy road conditions.
Response (Wessex Water YTL Group): Wessex Water will log concerns raised by Local Authority Highways teams about water on the highway on their customer service system to track investigations and provide updates. They are also …
Response (Dorset Council): Dorset Council commits to reviewing its Code of Practice within the next six months to ensure it sufficiently addresses hazards to highway users from flooding, surface water, and slippery fluids. …
Responded
Harry Colledge
Concerns: Highway operatives lack specific training to identify road defects hazardous to cyclists. Additionally, a road's natural geological movement causes defects that current inspections may not adequately identify, posing risks to all road users.
Response (Lancashire County Council): Lancashire County Council delivered debrief presentations to staff, undertook additional safety inspections, and implemented a temporary speed reduction. They commissioned a review of the Highway Safety Inspection Policy and a …
Responded
John Bass
Concerns: Inadequate guidance for highway inspectors on vegetation encroachment on pavements and infrequent inspections of busy footpaths pose an ongoing risk to public safety.
Response (Surrey County Council): Surrey County Council acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding vegetation encroachment and inspection frequency. They state that pavements are for pedestrians, not cyclists, and that the inspection regime is in line …
Responded
Colin McCallum
Concerns: Unmanaged risk of flooding and standing water on a specific road stretch has led to multiple incidents of vehicles losing control, posing a continued risk of future deaths.
Response (Cambridge County Council): Cambridgeshire County Council has introduced a 40mph speed restriction and local traffic management on the A1307. Works are planned to commence in late July 2024 to remediate flooding issues, including …
Responded
Scott Punshon
Concerns: A fatal accident investigation identified critical safety issues with road markings, signage, and lighting that required urgent attention from the council's technical services.
Response (Durham County Council): Durham County Council trimmed overgrown vegetation impacting street lighting, refreshed road markings, and realigned speed limit signage in the vicinity of the accident. The council will continue to assess the …
Responded
Moira Farnell
Concerns: The council failed to address a known hazard, a broken pavement, despite prior notification, contributing to a fatality.
Response (Milton Keynes Council): Milton Keynes Council states that they adhere to a risk-based approach to highway maintenance, in line with national guidance, and that inspections did not reveal any actionable defect at the …
Responded
David Walsh
Concerns: Delayed reporting of road traffic collisions by Police to the Highways Department (annual review vs. immediate) prevents timely identification and intervention for highway safety improvements.
Response (Lincolnshire County Council Lincolnshire Police): Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Police have agreed that every STATS19 collision form listing road-related factors will be highlighted within the wider LCC Highways Team for early review and action.
Responded
John Hickmott
Concerns: Numerous streetlights on a dangerous stretch of road were reported faulty but not repaired in a timely manner, severely reducing pedestrian visibility and contributing to fatal collisions.
Response (Highways and Transportation Milton Keynes Council): Milton Keynes City Council has reiterated contractual requirements for streetlight repairs, now undertakes sample check inspections of repair works, and will have a remote monitoring system installed for most streetlights …
Responded
Committee Recommendations (33)
#33 — Current highway infrastructure Code of Practice contains significant gaps, requiring urgent updates.
Recommendation: The Department told us that Ministers are considering a review of the Code of Practice as it considers there to be value in doing so, even though it will be major task to update the more than 260-page document. The …
Gov response: 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2026 6.2 The government agrees that the current guidance that has been provided to local highway authorities through the ‘Code of Practice for …
Accepted
#32 — Department provides outdated guidance for local authorities on road network maintenance.
Recommendation: The Department is responsible for providing guidance to local authorities in England to help them run and maintain their road networks, but has not updated its guidance for several years.70 Such guidance has included good practice proactive maintenance to reduce …
Gov response: 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2026 6.2 The government agrees that the current guidance that has been provided to local highway authorities through the ‘Code of Practice for …
Accepted
#23 — Short-term funding allocations may drive reactive maintenance despite single funding source perception.
Recommendation: The Department acknowledged that the succession of short-term funding allocations may have driven local authorities to be more reactive.44 However, the Department believes that local authorities treat the funding from the Department as a single source and are not concerned …
Gov response: 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2027 5.2 To ensure the development of a robust and proportionate monitoring and evaluation framework, the department plans to commission a feasibility study …
Accepted
#22 — Reactive pothole repairs prove inefficient and less cost-effective than proactive road maintenance.
Recommendation: However, potholes are just a symptom of poor road conditions and, as we heard, they are not necessarily being fixed properly or efficiently so money is just being wasted.41 For example, the AA told us that in its view too …
Gov response: 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2027 5.2 To ensure the development of a robust and proportionate monitoring and evaluation framework, the department plans to commission a feasibility study …
Accepted
#21 — Significant Department capital funding consistently allocated specifically towards pothole repairs.
Recommendation: Since 2020–21, the Department has provided local authorities with funding from the Potholes fund which, by the end of 2024–25, is expected to total £2.2 billion.38 Along with a further one off top up in 2023–24, specific pothole funding from …
Gov response: 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2027 5.2 To ensure the development of a robust and proportionate monitoring and evaluation framework, the department plans to commission a feasibility study …
Accepted
#16 — Many local authorities already collect more data, demonstrating willingness to report further.
Recommendation: The Department told us that it has to strike the balance between asking for more information and the increased burden of work for each local authority to provide that information, and that there are limits placed by the Ministry of …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the …
Accepted
#15 — New data standard will not require wider information or increased monitoring of road network.
Recommendation: The Department told us that it will not be asking local authorities to provide a wider range of information as part of the new standard to avoid increasing the administrative burden on local authorities.25 The Department confirmed that it will …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the …
Accepted
#14 — PAS 2161 data standard implementation will be voluntary until 2026-27 for local authorities.
Recommendation: The Department confirmed that it had recently released the standard in September 2024 so that local authorities can use it from 2025–26 on a voluntary basis. The Department told us that it will not make its usage mandatory until the …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the …
Accepted
#13 — New data standard PAS 2161 aims to improve local road condition reporting quality.
Recommendation: The Department told us that it is looking to improve the quality of its data through the introduction of a new data standard — PAS 2161 — for local authorities to use in reporting the condition of local roads. The …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the …
Accepted
#12 — Department's local road condition data is inadequate and lacks sufficient robustness.
Recommendation: We asked the Department why its data presented a different picture of local road conditions compared to the worsening conditions that independent analysis and user experience were showing. The Department acknowledged that its data is not good enough. For example, …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the …
Accepted
#11 — Road maintenance backlog cost estimated to have significantly increased to over £15.6 billion.
Recommendation: The Department also expects the cost of dealing with the backlog in road maintenance to have increased since its last estimate in 2019 of between £7.6 billion and £11.7 billion. The Department told us that all the evidence suggested that …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the …
Accepted
#10 — Independent analysis and public perception confirm deterioration in local road conditions.
Recommendation: However, the Department also acknowledged that there has been a deterioration in the condition of local roads over recent years, based on independent reports and people’s perceptions in using the roads.15 The Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) estimated that in 2023–24, …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the …
Accepted
#6 — Update and regularly revise local road guidance to reflect best practices and new challenges.
Recommendation: The Department has not provided enough support and guidance to local authorities to deal with current and future challenges in maintaining local roads. The Department is responsible for providing local authorities with guidance on the management and maintenance of local …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Infrastructure should be a reliable source of guidance that remains current. The department has commissioned TRL to work with the sector to develop a structure for the refreshed …
Accepted
#3 — Simplify local authority road funding, provide long-term certainty, and clarify maintenance monitoring.
Recommendation: The Department’s approach to funding is short-term and fragmented, hindering local authorities from planning more cost-effective work. In the last decade funding for local roads has become more complex, with the Department providing funding to local authorities via 12 different …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. government is reviewing its approaches to evaluating spending on local highway maintenance and the data that it gathers to understand the condition of the local highway network. Once …
Accepted
#2 — Require the Department to obtain comprehensive data for understanding local road network condition.
Recommendation: The Department has insufficient knowledge of the condition of local roads. Industry estimates show that the condition of local roads across England is getting worse, which is also reflected in falling public satisfaction and higher levels of pothole related incidents. …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. understanding of the condition of the local highway network, and how this maps onto the structures that are being set up to allow further devolution. As this work …
Accepted
#18 — FCDO's maintenance backlog was severely underestimated, necessitating external professionals for accurate assessment.
Recommendation: In November 2023, FCDO recognised that its £150 million estimate of its overseas estate maintenance backlog was likely to be an underestimate and commissioned professional surveyors to conduct a one-off exercise to identify the true backlog.47 FCDO ran a programme …
Gov response: 2. PAC conclusion: Much of FCDO’s overseas estate is in poor condition, and its estates maintenance backlog would cost an estimated £450 million to resolve.
Under Consideration
#7 — Prioritise investment in maintaining, renewing, and enhancing existing Strategic Road Network assets
Recommendation: The existing Strategic Road Network is ageing and requires significant renewal work in places, while many users want to see better day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of the network. Future investment should be focused on renewing older parts of the SRN …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. In developing RIS2, the STBs were engaged as important partners, whose strategies and studies provided robust information on the priorities for each part of the country. The Government recognised the …
Accepted
#8 — Increase standard guarantee period for all excavations to five years and fine companies for repeat repairs.
Recommendation: The current guarantee period of two or three years for reinstatements after works, the latter being for deep excavations, is too short given that reinstatements should last more than ten years if carried out correctly. The Department should increase the …
Gov response: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that immediate permits are used appropriately and consistently. While these permits are essential for responding to genuine emergencies and urgent service disruptions, we acknowledge concerns raised by some …
Under Consideration
#8 — Ensure sufficient revenue and capital funding is allocated for Strategic Road Network maintenance
Recommendation: Providing the level of day-to-day running and upkeep that meets the needs of SRN users will require revenue funding alongside capital investment in more costly renewal and repair projects. The Government must, therefore, make sufficient provision for both revenue and …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. National Highways already maintains up to date project reporting through the National Highways ‘Our Roads’ web portal6. Project progress is regularly updated for each scheme including changes to baseline …
Accepted
#18 — Encourage and support more local authorities to implement lane rental schemes without Secretary of State approval.
Recommendation: Lane rental schemes have worked well and can be a useful tool for authorities to manage disruption on their busiest stretches of roads. The Department for Transport should go further to encourage and support more local authorities to set up …
Gov response: We are committed to reduce disruption from street works and improve the efficiency of our road networks. Lane rental is an important tool to help HAs reduce the impact of works taking place on the …
Not Accepted
#14 — Consult on amending urgent works permit definitions and introducing fines for permit misuse.
Recommendation: Immediate urgent and immediate emergency permits are an essential tool, but they should be used in situations when there is a genuine need or plan to urgently fix a problem. The Department for Transport should consult on how the use …
Gov response: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that immediate permits are used appropriately and consistently. While these permits are essential for responding to genuine emergencies and urgent service disruptions, we acknowledge concerns raised by some …
Not Accepted
#12 — Consider establishing a Street Works Commissioner or alternative independent dispute resolution function.
Recommendation: The Department for Transport should consider setting up a Street Works Commissioner in England to help ensure the consistent application and interpretation of legislation, provide an option for independent dispute resolution and monitor performance across the sector. This would provide …
Gov response: We are committed to reduce disruption from street works and improve the efficiency of our road networks. Lane rental is an important tool to help HAs reduce the impact of works taking place on the …
Under Consideration
#7 — Two-year guarantee for street works reinstatements proves inadequate given local authority budget constraints.
Recommendation: Local authority budgets for road maintenance are stretched thin; they can ill afford the expense of making good reinstatements which are not up to scratch. We note the concern about increasing costs being reflected in utility bills, but there is …
Gov response: We welcome the Committee’s interest in exploring how permit scheme fees can further incentivise efficient working practices. The current legal framework already permits authorities to offer fee discounts for early completion or other efficiency measures. …
Accepted
#3 — Ensure all road closure signage specifies exact location promptly for immediate permits.
Recommendation: All road closure signage should specify exactly where the road closure is. When immediate permits are issued, this should be done as soon as reasonably practicable. (Recommendation, Paragraph 23)
Gov response: As part of the ongoing update to the Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice, a joint piece of statutory guidance across the UK’s devolved governments, the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland, …
Accepted
#1 — Committee took evidence from the Department on local road condition and maintenance in England.
Recommendation: On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Transport (the Department) on the condition and maintenance of local roads in England.1
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. maintenance is a vital part of ensuring the devolution process is successful. The department for Transport will publish a short document on Gov.UK summarising the legal responsibilities that …
Accepted
#16 — Support development and promotion of apps using accurate open-source data on street works.
Recommendation: Up-to-date information on local street works is essential for the public, whether residents or road users. The Department should support the development and promotion of apps which make use of open source data, and ensure that the data is accurate, …
Gov response: We agree that up to date and accessible information on street works is essential for residents, businesses, and road users to plan their journeys effectively and minimise disruption. To support this, the Department for Transport …
Accepted
#13 — Consult on amending permit scheme guidance to incentivise earlier completion of street works.
Recommendation: The Department for Transport should consult on amending guidance for permit schemes so that fees incentivise completion of works earlier than the period allowed for by a permit. (Recommendation, Paragraph 57)
Gov response: We welcome the Committee’s interest in exploring how permit scheme fees can further incentivise efficient working practices. The current legal framework already permits authorities to offer fee discounts for early completion or other efficiency measures. …
Not Addressed
#11 — Existing street works dispute resolution process inefficient, leading to resource-intensive legal disagreements.
Recommendation: The current dispute resolution process does not seem to be working well. Disagreements relating to the interpretation of street works legislation can end up as legal disputes which are resource intensive for authorities and utility companies alike. (Conclusion, Paragraph 53)
Gov response: We recognise that better coordination of street works for new housing developments is essential to minimise disruption to the transport network and improve efficiency in infrastructure delivery. Local authorities have powers under the New Roads …
Under Consideration
#5 — Set out specific changes to Safety Code for improved street works accessibility, incorporating DPTAC advice.
Recommendation: We ask the Department to set out specific changes that have been made to the new Safety Code of Practice to improve accessibility during street works and how advice from DPTAC has been incorporated. (Recommendation, Paragraph 28) 31 Managing the …
Gov response: We acknowledge that this is an area that may benefit from further review to ensure the current framework remains fit for purpose. While the existing two-cycle inspection cap was previously agreed with by HAUC as …
Accepted
#2 — Impose full overrun charges for street works leaving equipment/signs post-completion.
Recommendation: Leaving equipment or signs in place that imply to the public that street works are still ongoing when they have finished should attract a full overrun charge. (Recommendation, Paragraph 22)
Gov response: We appreciate the Committee’s focus on improving clarity for road users. We agree in principle that road closure signage should clearly indicate the exact location of the closure, as this helps drivers make informed decisions …
Accepted in Principle
#9 — Departmental data suggests local road conditions have remained broadly stable since 2015-16.
Recommendation: The Department’s own data suggests that the condition of local roads has remained broadly stable. It reported that over the period 2015–16 to 2022– 23, the percentage of local roads rated ‘red’, which are roads that should be considered for …
Not Addressed
#6 — Department failed to investigate financial impacts of increasing guarantee period despite commitment.
Recommendation: It was disappointing to hear that, having said in 2019 that further investigation was needed into the financial impacts of increasing the guarantee period, the Department has not undertaken any further work on the issues. This is an inefficient use …
Gov response: We recognise the Committee’s interest in strengthening consistency and accountability across the street works sector. In England, there is currently no equivalent to the Scottish Road Works Commissioner. Oversight is shared between the Department for …
Under Consideration
#4 — Department lacks transparency on DPTAC's impact on street works accessibility safety code.
Recommendation: In our report about accessibility in transport, we asked for more transparency about the impact that the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has on the Department’s decision-making. This is important for providing assurance that policy processes in respect of …
Gov response: We welcome and share the committee’s ambition to drive up the quality and durability of reinstatements. As part of this in 2023 we introduced a performance-based inspections regime which means those utility companies with high …
Accepted
NAO Audit Recommendations (5)
The condition and maintenance of local roads in England
To improve its support for local authorities and guidance on how to deliver effective and efficient highways maintenance, DfT should identify and fill gaps in guidance it provides to local authorities. This should include developing its understanding of where local …
Accepted
The condition and maintenance of local roads in England
To improve its approach to funding local road maintenance, DfT should work with HM Treasury to set out how it will provide longer-term funding certainty to local authorities that will help better support preventative road maintenance approaches.
Accepted
The condition and maintenance of local roads in England
To improve its approach to funding local road maintenance, DfT should review its approach to allocating capital funding to local authorities for local road maintenance to ensure its allocative effectiveness. DfT should review how it can make better use of …
Accepted
The condition and maintenance of local roads in England
To improve the accuracy and completeness of its understanding of the condition of the local road network in England, DfT should request information on the condition of other key road network assets, such as bridges, where local authorities are already …
Partially accepted
The condition and maintenance of local roads in England
To improve the accuracy and completeness of its understanding of the condition of the local road network in England, DfT should review its coverage requirements for local authorities on surface condition reporting, making use of the advances in data collection …
Accepted
LGO / SPSO Decisions (1174)
21-018-404 — Hampshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr C’s complaint that his car was damaged by a pothole which the Council failed to repair. This is because it is reasonable for Mr C to pursue his compensation claim at court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Mar 2022
22-000-809 — Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint that she tripped over a damaged paving stone which the Council had failed to repair. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs B to pursue her compensation claim by taking the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2022
22-000-805 — Nottinghamshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that his car was damaged by a pothole which the Council failed to repair. This is because it is reasonable for Mr B to pursue his compensation claim by taking the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2022
23-020-977 — Salford City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about pothole damage as this is ultimately a matter for the courts and the complaint is also made late.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2024
24-023-063 — London Borough of Enfield
Summary: We will not investigate Ms B’s complaint that her car was damaged by a pothole. This is because it is reasonable for Ms B to pursue her compensation claim at court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Mar 2025
25-002-139 — Surrey County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint that her car was damaged due to the Council’s failure to repair a dangerous pothole. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs B to take the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
May 2025
25-004-753 — North Northamptonshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that his vehicle was damaged by a pothole which the Council had failed to repair. This is because it is reasonable for Mr B to pursue his compensation claim by taking the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jun 2025
25-004-629 — London Borough of Barnet
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint that the Council wrongly decided her company was liable for pavement damage. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making to justify investigating. The courts are best placed to consider any continuing dispute over liability.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Sep 2025
201004424 — East Dunbartonshire Council
Mr C complained about the condition of the road outside his house and the council's failure to appropriately assess it and prioritise it for re-surfacing. He was also dissatisfied with the way the council dealt with his complaint. We did not uphold his complaints as our investigation found that the …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Oct 2011
201104093 — The Moray Council
Mr C was concerned that the council decided not to fund repairs to his local private road (also known as an unadopted road). He complained that the predecessor council had, in 1988, entered into an agreement with residents to carry out surface repairs to these roads. He was of the …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Jun 2012
201302706 — Glasgow City Council
Mr C complained that the council had unreasonably failed to maintain and repair a section of road near his home in line with their obligations. He also said that when he reported pot holes to the council, they failed to carry out repairs within the required timescales. The council said …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Jul 2014
25-010-504 — Hampshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to repair a defective manhole cover. There is not enough evidence of fault in the way the Council has assessed the matter, we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant is seeking, and it is reasonable to expect him to …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Dec 2025
25-017-135 — North Lincolnshire Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
25-025-583 — Devon County Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
25-014-023 — London Borough of Barnet
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
PSOW-202308170 — Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Mrs B complained that Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council failed to provide her with a copy of its stage two response. The Ombudsman found that there had been a failure by the Council to share the outcome of the stage two with the complainant, she said this caused frustration and …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Feb 2024
PSOW-202309208 — Powys County Council
Mr L complained about works that Powys County Council undertook to the road outside his home following the removal of a flood defence wall on private property. Mr L said the works had not resolved the problem of water running down the road and his home. He said that he …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Mar 2024
21-013-556 — Manchester City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the condition of a pavement. This is because the complaint late. Also, there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council, and the complainant has a remedy in court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jan 2022
21-013-515 — East Sussex County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about disrepair to the public highway. This is because it would be reasonable for Mr X to serve notice on the Council and take the matter to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jan 2022
21-014-982 — London Borough of Enfield
Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that his car was damaged due to the Council’s failure to repair a pothole. This is because it is reasonable for Mr B to pursue his compensation claim at court, which is in the best position to decide the matter.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jan 2022
21-014-750 — North Yorkshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council has not accepted liability for her personal injury and property damage after she tripped on an open inspection cover on the highway. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs X to take the Council to court, which is …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jan 2022
21-014-401 — Leicestershire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway maintenance because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating and there is another body better placed to consider the complaint.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Feb 2022
21-015-797 — Bristol City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage to his car caused by a pothole. This is because this is a complaint about negligence which is a legal matter for the courts to consider and decide should the Council deny liability on his claim.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Feb 2022
21-017-217 — Gloucestershire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint that her car was damaged due to the Council’s failure to repair a pothole. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs B to pursue her compensation claim by taking the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Mar 2022
21-016-942 — Manchester City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about emergency repair work carried out by the Council, which the complainant says caused damage to his property. This is because it would be reasonable for the complainant to seek a remedy through the courts if he believes the Council are liable for …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Mar 2022
21-019-022 — Cumbria County Council
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about damage caused to Ms X’s property arising from the Council’s failure to clear overgrown gullys on the public highway. This is because it is reasonable to expect Ms X to go to court to determine any liability owed by …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Mar 2022
22-000-272 — Devon County Council
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about damage caused to Mrs X’s car arising from the Council’s failure to repair a pothole on the public highway. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mrs X to go to court to determine any liability owed by …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2022
22-000-446 — Cumbria County Council
Summary: We cannot investigate Ms B’s complaint that her car was damaged due to the Council’s failure to maintain a road. This is because Ms B took the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2022
22-000-063 — Essex County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision on the priority to give Mr X’s road for repairs. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
May 2022
22-001-878 — Shropshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint that the Council has damaged her boundary wall. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs B to pursue her claim against the Council at court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
May 2022
22-001-794 — Medway Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint the Council is failing to maintain or repair a main road causing danger to road users. Mrs X has an alternative remedy at court which it is reasonable for her to use.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
May 2022
22-001-786 — Hampshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about disruption during roadworks because it is late with no good reason to investigate it now.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
May 2022
22-001-769 — Cheshire West & Chester Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has the wrong highway repair priorities, has failed to repair two major roads which places drivers at risk, and wastes public money. Mr X has a legal remedy at court which it is reasonable for him to use if …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
May 2022
22-002-461 — Staffordshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about damage caused to the complainant’s car after hitting a pothole. This is because it is not unreasonable to expect him to take the matter to court to determine any liability owed by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
May 2022
22-002-368 — Staffordshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about damage from a pothole in the road. This is because the complaint is better dealt with by insurers and the court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jun 2022
22-003-127 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council has failed to repair a defective section of road outside his home. This is because it is reasonable for Mr B to use the remedies available to him at court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jun 2022
22-002-888 — Surrey County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway repairs. This is because Miss Y’s insurer or the court is better placed to deal with her complaint.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jun 2022
22-003-311 — Kent County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway repair and maintenance. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault or significant enough injustice to justify our investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jun 2022
22-004-505 — Portsmouth City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about financial loss incurred by the complainant after his car was damaged by a tree on Council land. This is because it is reasonable for the complainant to take his claim to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Jul 2022
22-006-016 — London Borough of Barnet
Summary: We cannot investigate any aspect of this complaint about the Council failing to adhere to a court judgement requiring it to compensate the complainant. This is because we have no remit to intervene.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Aug 2022
22-005-649 — Lincolnshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway maintenance. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault and it is reasonable to expect Mr Y to use the remedies available to him at court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Aug 2022
22-007-024 — Devon County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr C’s complaint that the Council is failing to maintain the road where he lives. This is because it is reasonable for Mr C to apply to court for an order requiring the Council to repair the road.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Aug 2022
22-007-403 — Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that his car was damaged due to the Council’s failure to maintain roads it is responsible for. This is because it is reasonable for Mr B to pursue his compensation claim by taking the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Sep 2022
22-009-004 — Cumbria County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that his car was damaged when it hit a pothole, because it lies outside our jurisdiction. This is because it is a complaint about negligence which is a legal matter for the courts to consider and decide.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Oct 2022
23-017-984 — Central Bedfordshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about work carried out to the road where the complainant lives. We cannot decide whether the Council is liable for damage to his property or personal injury, these are matters for insurers or the courts. Nor can we require the Council to impose …
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Mar 2024
23-019-382 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway repair and maintenance because the courts are better placed to consider the complaint.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Mar 2024
23-020-778 — Devon County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the state of local roads or that his car was damaged by a pothole. This is because it is reasonable for Mr X to apply for an order to court and take his claim for damages to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Mar 2024
24-000-209 — West Sussex County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint that her car was damaged after hitting a pothole which the Council had failed to repair. This is because it is reasonable for Mrs B to pursue her compensation claim by taking the Council to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2024
23-019-967 — Buckinghamshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway maintenance because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2024
23-019-952 — Essex County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about highway maintenance because the courts and insurers are better placed to deal with any damage to Dr Y’s vehicle and there is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s management of highway maintenance to justify investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Apr 2024