Analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) road condition data has identified the '10 worst areas in the UK for road surface quality'.
As councils prepare to move to a new system for monitoring road condition, under the PAS 2161 standard, research by Re-flow looked at the standings of councils prior to the transition.
The field management software specialist looked at the percentage of roads given red amber and green status under the current system - indicating surfaces in poor condition that may require immediate maintenance.
Ashley Wing, CMO of Re-flow Field Management, said: ‘These results show a concerning picture of the UK's road infrastructure, with significant regional disparities in road quality. What's particularly worrying is seeing areas like Westminster in the top 10, showing that even wealthy boroughs aren't immune to road maintenance issues.'
Top 10 UK areas with the worst road surfaces
Five focal points
West Northamptonshire
With a final score of 47.13, West Northamptonshire has the worst roads in the UK, according to the research.
Only 24.5% of the A roads and motorways in the county were rated green, with 71% falling into the amber category, indicating significant wear and the need for repairs. The remaining 5% of these major routes are rated red, showing serious damage.
Similar figures can be found when looking at B and C roads in the area: only 9.5% are in good condition, 72.5% sit at amber and 17.5% classified as red, meaning that West Northamptonshire has the worst B and C roads in the country.
West Northamptonshire Council has committed to a substantial £100m capital investment for the 2025/26 period, rising to £155m over the next four years. Approximately £14.6m of this budget is allocated specifically for road maintenance.
Derbyshire
Derbyshire finds itself in second place with a final score of 46.60. The county has the highest percentage of A roads and motorways in the country classified as red (20.4%), with only 35.2% rated green. It is worse for B and C roads; only 25.2% are rated green and 27% classified as red.
North Northamptonshire
Following on from Derbyshire with a score of 44.75 is North Northamptonshire. Only 26% of its A roads and motorways managed to be rated green, but 71% of its network is classed as amber, with 3% in red. There is a slightly higher number of B and C roads rated green (9%), while 82% are amber.
North Northamptonshire Council allocated around £14m for highway maintenance in 2024/25, focusing on surface treatments and patching works to extend road life and reduce potholes.
Bristol City
In fourth place is Bristol City, with a final score of 43.85. Of its A roads and motorways, 27.8% are rated green, while 63.2% are in amber and 8.8% are in red. B and C roads also fall short, with only 14.8% rated green, 74.6% amber, and 10% red.
Bristol City Council allocated over £23m for road maintenance in the 2024/25 financial year, combining £17m in capital funding with nearly £7m in revenue spending.
Southend-on-Sea
With a final score of 40.90, Southend-on-Sea is in fifth place. Only 40.6% of its A roads and motorways are rated green, while 47% are amber and 12.6% are in the red category. It’s B and C roads fare worse, with 28.2% rated green, over half (51.8%) in amber and nearly 20% in red.
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