Hertfordshire given amber rating in new potholes traffic light system rating local authorities
Hertfordshire has been given an amber rating in a new potholes traffic light system, rating local authorities on how effective they are at fixing roads.
The rating system, published by the Government on the eve of National Pothole Day, grades authorities across the country based on current road conditions and how effectively they spend Government funding allocated to fix potholes and invest in long-term measures to maintain roads.
Hertfordshire was one of 125 local highway authorities given an amber rating, with 16 given the top rating of green and 13 the worst rating of red.
Hertfordshire received amber ratings for overall rating, condition scorecard and wider best practice scorecard, and green in the spend scorecard category.
According to Hertfordshire County Council’s local highways maintenance transparency report the authority is projected to spend just over £35,670 in the 2025/2026 financial year on highway maintenance.
Thirteen per cent is expected to be spent on preventative maintenance, compared to just seven per cent on reactive maintenance.
Reacting to the ratings the RAC’s head of policy Simon Williams said: “These new ratings are a positive move that will help drivers understand how councils are performing when it comes to improving the state of local roads.
“While there are examples of good road maintenance practice taking place, this isn’t consistent across the country and means drivers have for too long been left with substandard roads.
“We hope this initiative, plus the promise of longer-term funding for councils to allow them to plan and carry out much-needed preventative maintenance, means we’re finally on the way to having smoother, better roads."
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