Background to the report

The local road network in England is essential to everyday travel and the movement of goods. Almost all journeys start and end on the local road network, which consists of 183,000 miles of road and represents 98% of the total road network.

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As well as the road surface, the local road network includes pavements, embankments, bridges and drainage systems that need to be kept in good condition.

Scope of the report

This report examines whether the Department for Transport (DfT) is ensuring value for money through its funding provision for local road maintenance, and whether it is effectively fulfilling its role in supporting local authorities to deliver local road maintenance. We have assessed whether:

  • DfT understands the condition of local roads in England
  • DfT is using its data and information to inform its funding decisions
  • DfT is supporting local authorities effectively through providing guidance on asset maintenance

Video summary

The report’s director, Jonny Mood, provides a summary of our findings.

Conclusions

Local roads are a vital part of local transport infrastructure, used every day by millions of people. Despite their importance, the condition of local roads is declining and the backlog to return them to a good state of repair is increasing.

DfT has provided between £1.1 and £1.6 billion of capital funding each year to local authorities and has set out plans for additional funding through to 2034. Given the fiscal constraints, it is essential that DfT secures maximum value from the funding it has available.

However, at present DfT does not have a good enough understanding of the condition of local roads, and does not use the limited data it does have to allocate its funding as effectively as possible. It does not know whether the funds it allocates are delivering improvements in road condition, and has not updated its guidance to local authorities, to share good practice and help them make the most of their limited funds, for some years.

Managing the local road network is becoming increasingly complex – for example, as climate change and autonomous vehicles demand more from it – and the additional funding that DfT has secured provides an opportunity to equip local authorities to better meet these challenges.

If DfT is able to address the issues in its current approach it will be much better placed to improve the value for money of funding in this area and secure an improved and more resilient local roads network.

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