Sandwell Council is celebrating a Green rating under the government’s new national traffic light system for highway maintenance.
This top assessment recognises strong performance, long-term investment and best practice in road upkeep.
Sandwell ranks fourth out of 154 Local Highway Authorities (LHAs) nationally, of which only 16 were rated Green; and is the top-rated LHA in the West Midlands.
The announcement coincides with National Pothole Day and was marked by a visit from Simon Lightwood MP, the Roads Minister from the Department of Transport, who saw Sandwell’s innovative Multihog road repair machine in action.
Drivers in Sandwell can now see how well their council is tackling potholes thanks to a new traffic light system, published by the government. The ratings – the first of their kind – grade authorities as Red, Amber or Green, based on current road conditions and how effectively they are spending government funding to fix potholes and invest in long-term maintenance.
The new ratings are in line with the annual National Highways and Transport (NHT) survey, where Sandwell ranks among the top four councils nationally for highway condition and pothole prevention. In addition to the NHT survey, the council undertakes an annual resident’s survey, which shows resident satisfaction with road maintenance in Sandwell is more than double the national local government benchmark.
Other key national rankings for Sandwell include:
- 4th for quality of road repairs
- 7th for number of potholes
- 8th for condition of road markings
Within the West Midlands, Sandwell ranks best for five separate highway maintenance measures, demonstrating consistently strong performance across the borough.
The council prioritises prevention over cure, sealing cracks early, applying protective surface treatments and using a proactive maintenance programme to extend road life. Investment in specialist machinery like the Multihog enables faster, higher-quality repairs, ensuring potholes are fixed right first time and reducing disruption for road users.
Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, said: “We are proud that Sandwell is recognised nationally for the outstanding condition of our roads. We lead the way not only in road condition, but in the speed, quality and reliability of pothole repairs.
“This Green rating reflects years of consistent investment, smart planning and a commitment to doing things the right way for our residents. By using innovative technology, data-led maintenance and forward-thinking repair methods, we keep costs low while delivering safer, smoother roads.
“Well-maintained roads and pavements are essential for safety, health, and connecting people to jobs, education and services. Our approach shows our commitment to being a caring council that gets things done on the issues that matter.”
Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Roads at the Department for Transport, said: “For too long, motorists have been forced to pick up the tab for crumbling roads, paying out for repairs that should have been avoided.
“That’s why we’ve introduced a new national system to shine a light on how well councils are maintaining their roads, backed by a record billions in long-term funding, including £800m for the West Midlands.
“Sandwell’s Green rating shows what can be achieved when councils focus on early intervention, preventative maintenance and good value for money.”
The traffic light ratings will be updated annually and are supported by long-term government investment in local roads. Ratings for all local highway authorities will be published on gov.u