Gloucestershire has been named one of the top 16 counties in England for road maintenance, according to a new national highways performance map released by the Department for Transport (DfT). While council leaders are pleased with the recognition, they acknowledge that the county’s roads still face significant challenges.
The DfT’s map evaluated every local highway authority based on road condition, investment levels, and adherence to best practices in pothole prevention and repair. Authorities received a red, amber, or green rating, with Gloucestershire proudly receiving a green status alongside just 15 other counties. By comparison, 125 authorities were rated amber, and 13 received red.
Gloucestershire County Council attributes this achievement to sustained investment and improvements, including increased resurfacing, adoption of modern repair techniques, and a shift toward more permanent and efficient pothole repairs. Despite this success, leaders recognize that many residents remain frustrated by deteriorating roads—effects of past government underfunding and severe weather impacts.
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Over the past year, the council has accelerated its maintenance programme, prioritizing the worst-affected roads and boosting the number of permanent repairs. Enhanced materials, better inspection routines, and more responsive repair teams aim to deliver longer-lasting road fixes rather than repeated patch-ups.
Looking forward, the county proposes a £15 million increase to its highways budget over the next three years to further improve infrastructure.
Highways cabinet member Joe Harris expressed gratitude to the council’s maintenance teams and acknowledged the importance of visible results: “While we’re proud of our national recognition, residents care most about reliable, pothole-free roads. There’s still much work to do, and this ranking is just one milestone on our ongoing journey to deliver lasting improvements across Gloucestershire.”
Councillor Stephen Davies, reflecting on prior investment initiatives from his administration, welcomed the positive rating but echoed the sentiment that roads are not yet perfect. “This ranking shows we’re doing better than most counties, thanks to years of high investment and decisive action,” he said. “However, it’s important to remember that it does not mean our roads meet all expectations.”
The council commits to ongoing transparency by publishing regular road condition updates and expanding its resurfacing and repair programmes. Residents are encouraged to report potholes and track repair progress through the “Fix My Street” platform.