Somerset’s road network has been recognized as one of the best maintained on mainland UK, according to a recent ranking published by the Department for Transport (DfT). Out of 153 local authorities, Somerset Council secured an impressive 26th place, earning an overall ‘amber’ rating in the newly introduced scoring system.
The DfT has allocated £1.5 billion to local authorities in the South West to repair and upgrade damaged roads, with strict requirements for councils to provide detailed reports outlining how these funds have been utilized. This new scoring methodology enables residents to directly compare their local councils’ performance in road maintenance.
Somerset scored highly in key areas, receiving a ‘green’ rating for both road condition—including A, B, C, and unclassified roads—and best practice in maintenance. However, the council was rated ‘red’ on its capital spending measure, which contributed to the overall ‘amber’ rating.
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This spending score appears contradictory, given Somerset Council is on track to use 98% of its annual capital allocation from the DfT by the end of the current financial year. The disparity stems from the council’s strategy focusing heavily on preventative treatments, which the DfT deems best practice but which seemingly impacted the spending metric.
Looking ahead to 2025/26, Somerset plans to resurface just over 34 miles of road and carry out nearly 115 miles of preventative maintenance work. Of the £50 million budgeted from the DfT for that year, approximately 89% will fund preventative road treatments—a rise from 80% in 2024/25—demonstrating Somerset’s commitment to long-term road care.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, expressed satisfaction with the high rankings for road condition and maintenance approach, saying, “Our focus on preventative work is proving successful in preventing defects and maintaining road quality.” He also noted the confusion around the spending grade, highlighting that Somerset achieves excellent road standards with careful and cost-effective use of resources.
Wiltshire and Gloucestershire County Councils, rated ‘green’ overall, demonstrate best practices such as prioritizing preventative maintenance and sustained investment, while nearby councils with ‘amber’ or ‘red’ ratings signify areas for improvement.
Residents can report potholes or road issues directly at www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in the 2025 budget that over £7.3 billion would be dedicated to local road maintenance by the end of 2029/30. Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized the government’s commitment to improving roads in the South West through increased funding and transparency, aiming to reduce repair costs for drivers and enhance road safety.
Councillor Wilkins added, “We welcome this transparency as it verifies we are among the most efficient authorities nationwide. We remain focused on preventative work to maintain and improve road conditions across Somerset.”