Drivers across Harrow can now see how their local roads compare nationally after the Government published a new traffic light rating system showing how well councils are tackling the pothole crisis.
Harrow Council has been rated Amber in the first-of-its-kind national road maintenance ratings published by the Department for Transport on Sunday 11 January.
The new system grades 154 local highway authorities across England as Red, Amber or Green, based on road condition, spending on repairs and whether councils are following best practice in maintaining their road networks.
The ratings are shown on a new interactive map which allows residents to check how their council is performing and compare it with others across the country.
According to the Department for Transport, the aim is to highlight best practice and drive improved performance from councils.
The Government says the ratings follow a record £7.3 billion investment to fix potholes and support long-term road maintenance, after years of councils calling for more certainty over funding.
The Department for Transport said the investment will allow councils to move away from short-term patch repairs and instead focus on preventative maintenance, saving drivers money in the long run.
The Government estimates the average vehicle repair bill from hitting potholes is now around £320, with some motorists paying more than £1,000 last year.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate. I have heard time and again their frustration on footing the bill because they hit a pothole – money they should never have to spend in the first place.
“We’ve put our money where our mouth is, increasing the funding for local highway authorities with £7.3 billion to fix roads and given them the long-term certainty they have been asking for. Now it’s over to them to spend the money wisely, and for the first time we are making sure the public can see how well councils are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.
“This Government’s record investment will save drivers money on repairs, make roads safer and help restore pride in our communities.”
The Department for Transport said the Red, Amber and Green ratings are based on three key areas:
- The condition of local roads
- How much councils are spending on repairs
- And whether they are following best practice in highway maintenance
Councils rated Green, including Leeds, Sandwell and Manchester, were found to be investing in long-term preventative measures rather than short-term pothole repairs, while also maintaining good road conditions.
Amber-rated councils, including Harrow, showed some of these qualities but with room for improvement.
Red-rated councils will now receive dedicated support to help improve performance, backed by £300,000 of expert planning and capability assistance.
Access to future funding will also be linked to performance, with the Government saying councils will be encouraged to use taxpayer money efficiently to repair and maintain roads before potholes form.
Edmund King, AA president and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, said: “The top transport demand for 96% of AA members is fixing potholes with increased investment in repairing and upgrading roads.
“We welcome this Government initiative to hold local highways authorities to account which should help to promote the Pothole Partnership objective of more proactive and permanent repairs.”
Caroline Julian, Brand and Engagement Director of British Cycling and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, said: “For cyclists, potholes are far more than an annoyance. One unexpected impact can cause a serious crash, life changing injury or, in the worst cases, a fatality. Safe riding depends on safe roads, and a smooth, well-maintained surface isn’t a luxury for cyclists, it’s essential for their safety.
“This new mapping tool is a step forward. It gives riders clear insight into how well their council is maintaining the routes they rely on every day, whilst holding decision makers to account.”
Kerry Winstanley, Managing Director of Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) said: “The release of the national ratings provides a clear opportunity to target support and strengthen the local road network where it is most needed.
“For many years, highways authorities have worked hard to maintain roads despite declining budgets and resources, and the ratings, released alongside record multi-year investment, will enable authorities to benefit from additional support and increase investment in preventative maintenance, while continuing collaborative work supported by LCRIG, including sharing best practices, adopting innovative solutions, and working towards a nationally green-rated road network.”
A spokesperson for Harrow Council said, “We‘re carrying out significant work through our road resurfacing programme to deliver better, safer, and long-lasting roads. The data from the DfT doesn’t reflect all the work that has been carried out since April 2025. Our investment is amongst the highest in London (£42m over three years) – recognised by the Department for Transport who have rated us green on spend. We’re filling more potholes and spending more on preventative measures compared to most other London Boroughs.
“Since January 2024, we have filled more than 10,000 potholes and resurfaced 178 roads and pavements. We’re committed to restoring pride back into our roads and will continue to invest in innovative technology such as the Pothole Pro and thermal repair machine to repair more of our roads.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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