Reform UK has faced criticism for its handling of road maintenance issues as recent analysis revealed that Councils led by the party have been the least successful in addressing pothole repairs in proportion to their responsibilities. The unveiling of a new traffic light system by the Government to address potholes has highlighted that a significant number of Local Highway Authorities under Reform leadership have received a ‘Red’ rating, indicating the lowest performance level. The Department for Transport has introduced a mapping tool categorizing 154 local highway authorities into red, amber, or green ratings based on road conditions and the efficiency of their use of government funding for road maintenance.
Among the Reform Councils, three – Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and West Northamptonshire – have been given a ‘Red’ rating, with only 12 Councils being led by Reform. Similarly, Conservative Councils have also struggled to effectively manage pothole repairs, with nearly one in five of their Councils receiving a ‘Red’ rating.
Anna Turley MP, Chair of the Labour Party, criticized Reform Councils for their poor performance in fixing potholes, emphasizing Labour’s commitment to addressing motorists’ concerns by investing significantly to tackle the pothole issue on a large scale.
Data collected between March and June 2025, before Reform assumed control of the local authorities, identified several areas, including Cumberland, Cumbria; Bolton, Greater Manchester; Leicestershire; Suffolk; and Kensington and Chelsea in west London, as having red ratings. The Department for Transport stated that red-rated authorities will receive targeted support through a £300,000 program to align them with best practices.
On the contrary, authorities such as Essex, Wiltshire, Coventry, Leeds, and Darlington have been categorized as green, signifying better performance in road maintenance. The government’s commitment to providing £7.3 billion for local road maintenance funding until 2029/30 was reaffirmed in the latest budget.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the government’s efforts to improve road conditions and alleviate the burden on drivers caused by poor road maintenance practices. The substantial investment aims to reduce repair costs for drivers, enhance road safety, and foster community pride.
A spokesperson for Reform UK defended the party’s efforts, acknowledging the challenges inherited from previous administrations but emphasizing the progress made in addressing the backlog of potholes, particularly in Derbyshire. The spokesperson highlighted the ongoing commitment to reversing the decline in road maintenance seen under previous leadership.