Somerset’s road network has been recognized as one of the best maintained across mainland UK, according to a recently published league table by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Amid a £1.5 billion investment in the South West’s local roads, councils are required to submit detailed reports outlining how the funds are spent. This initiative allows residents to compare their local council’s performance using a new scoring system introduced by the DfT.
Under this new framework, Somerset Council earned an overall ‘amber’ rating, placing 26th among 153 local authorities—a commendable achievement welcomed by the council despite some confusion over certain scoring elements.
The system evaluates councils based on three key criteria: road condition (covering A-, B-, C-, and unclassified roads), adherence to best practices for maintenance, and level of capital expenditure. Ratings are presented via a traffic light system:
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‘Green’ ratings reflect adherence to best practices, including significant investment in long-term preventative maintenance rather than reactive fixes. Gloucestershire and Wiltshire councils achieved this top rating.
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‘Amber’ ratings, like Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall councils, indicate solid performance with areas needing enhancement.
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‘Red’ ratings, as seen in Slough and Suffolk, reveal councils falling short of expected standards.
Somerset Council received green marks for road condition and maintenance practices but was rated red for spending, leading to its overall amber rating. This spending evaluation puzzled local officials, as Somerset is on track to use 98% of its annual DfT capital funding by the financial year’s end.
Looking ahead to 2025/26, Somerset plans to resurface over 34 miles of road and implement preventative treatments on nearly 115 miles. With a £50 million budget allocated for that year, approximately 89% will fund preventative measures—an increase from 80% in the previous year.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Waste Services, expressed pride in Somerset’s ranking: “Being among the top authorities nationally for road condition and maintenance approach highlights the effectiveness of preventative work in halting road defects before they arise. This validates our successful methodology.”
He also addressed the apparent inconsistency in the spending score: “Despite forecast spending of nearly all our government allocation on best-practice preventative work, we were still graded red in that category. However, the overall report highlights that we maintain green road conditions within available government finances, delivering exceptional value for public money.”
Residents can report potholes or other road issues at www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road.
Councillor Wilkins added: “The transparency this report brings confirms our efficiency and drives our commitment to expand preventative efforts across Somerset. Our goal remains to improve and maintain the county’s roads among the nation’s best.”
In a budget announcement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP in November 2025, over £7.3 billion was pledged nationwide for local road maintenance through 2029/30.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP commented: “Drivers in the South West have long suffered due to neglected roads, often facing repair bills from pothole damage they shouldn’t have to bear. With £1.5 billion dedicated to road repairs and the promise of long-term funding stability, we are empowering local authorities to spend wisely. This transparency ensures the public can see real progress on the roads they use daily. Our government’s sustained investment will reduce repair costs, enhance road safety, and restore pride in our communities.”