The Department for Transport’s new traffic-light ratings system places Leeds in the highest “green” category, reflecting strong performance on road conditions, investment in repairs, and a focus on long-term, preventative maintenance rather than short-term patching.
The ratings – the first of their kind – grade authorities as red, amber or green based on current road condition and how effectively they are spending the Government’s record £30million funding to fix potholes and invest in long term measures to maintain roads.
Those that scored green, like Leeds, were able to demonstrate they are following best practice such as investing in more long-term preventative measures rather than just patching up potholes, while also maintaining good road conditions and investing significantly into improving local roads.
The rating will be welcome news for residents across Leeds North West, including Otley and Yeadon, Guiseley and Rawdon, Adel and Wharfedale, and Horsforth, where potholes and road conditions are a key concern raised by constituents, according to local MP, Katie White.
Katie White, MP for Leeds North West, said: “From Otley and Adel, I hear time and again from residents about the impact potholes have on their daily journeys.
“That is why it is really positive to see Leeds recognised as one of the top councils in the country for tackling them. This green rating shows that the council is investing properly in our local roads and focusing on long-term repairs that prevent potholes from forming in the first place.
“This rating is not about pretending every pothole has been fixed. It is about recognising that Leeds is taking the right long-term approach, investing properly in repairs and focusing on preventing potholes from forming in the first place, rather than endlessly patching up the same problems.”
Deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Leeds City Council, Councillor Jonathan Pryor said: “We welcome this new interactive map produced by the Department for Transport and that our work in Leeds is recognised nationally with a green highest-level rating reflecting the way we manage highways maintenance operations. All of our highways maintenance work in Leeds follows national guidance and best practice and we invest an additional £13million of capital funding into highways maintenance each year to support our work because the council knows it is a high priority for local residents and communities. It is important however to recognise the scale of the ongoing challenge, with a backlog of work needed on our highways network currently at around £300millon, so while we are grateful for this recognition and any additional investment to help us maintain highways in Leeds, we know much more is needed.”
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting potholes and other issues with roads and pavements directly to Leeds City Council at: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/report-an-issue-with-a-road-or-pavement
An interactive map showing every local authority rating is now live at: https://maps.dft.gov.uk/local-road-maintenance-ratings-map/index.html