21 January 2026
Figures release by the Department for Transport* today reveal that road conditions on English A roads have worsened compared to 2024.
Following investigations and reporting by local councils, 5% of A-roads local councils are responsible for are in desperate need of repair. In comparison, 7% of all B and C classed roads require replacement and 17% of unclassified roads need maintenance.
A worsening in the condition of A-roads while other roads in England remain in the same state is surprising after several injections of Government money into local roads maintenance. It suggests that English councils are struggling to turn the corner on the pothole plague.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said; “It was hoped that today’s Road Condition report would show that Government money supporting council efforts to reverse the decline in English roads and the backlog of repairs would be having more of an effect.
“Such is the size of the problem and the focus on main roads that driver frustration and anger remains deep. When, to get to a relatively well-maintained main road, you may still have to run the gauntlet of persistent potholes on residential streets and rural roads, progress in combating the pothole plague is less obvious to many drivers.
“Government and councils are making some headway in mending UK roads but there is still a long, long way to go.”