New government data reveals Somerset’s road network ranks among the best maintained in England, earning a ‘green’ score for road condition and maintenance. However, many local residents remain unconvinced, reporting persistent pothole issues that disrupt their daily drives.
The Department for Transport has allocated £1.5 billion in funding for the South West councils to carry out road repairs. Somerset Council received an overall ‘amber’ rating, excelling with green marks for the condition of its roads and maintenance efforts, but receiving a red score in spending efficiency despite using 98 percent of its capital funding. For the 2025/26 financial year, plans include resurfacing 34 miles of roads and undertaking preventative treatment on nearly 115 miles, with nearly 90 percent of the £50 million budget dedicated to preventative works.
Councillor Richard Wilkins expressed pride in the council’s performance: “We are delighted to be rated among the top authorities nationally for road condition and maintenance. However, the red grade for spending is confusing, especially since we efficiently use almost all government funding on preventative measures.”
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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the increased funding: “Drivers in the South West have long endured deteriorating roads. Our £1.5 billion investment provides councils with the certainty to improve safety and reduce costs for drivers.”
Despite these official accolades, a chorus of dissatisfaction arises from Somerset residents. Helen Gosney expressed disbelief: “This can’t be true. Whenever we return to Somerset, we immediately notice the potholes we have to dodge.” Sally Cattle added a local angle: “If this data reflects Somerset, they must have missed Yeovil and the surrounding areas.” Kirsty Andrews humorously noted, “Some potholes are so deep that ducks treat them as new ponds after rain.”
Dorothy Potter described a specific stretch: “The road from the A30 to A303 through Dinnington resembles a cart track, with drivers steering close to hedges to avoid potholes. Recently, only one pothole was repaired on a small section containing several.” Mick Foster was even more critical: “These roads need full resurfacing, not just patching. I’ve seen better dirt tracks.”
Felix Leith pointed to broader issues: “Budget cuts mean councils rely on temporary fixes instead of proper resurfacing. Vehicle excise duty goes to central government, leaving less for road maintenance.”
Jackie Rock suggested a radical response: “If everyone stopped paying vehicle tax, the government might finally listen. Our vehicles suffer damage and safety is compromised daily from potholes. It’s unacceptable.”
Somerset’s official ratings clash noticeably with residents’ experiences. Whether the roads truly rank among the best is up for debate. Locals continue to call for improvements and proper funding to fix the potholes that impact their journeys every day.