Road Conditions in England 2017

The condition of local authority managed ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ roads has gradually improved over the last five years, this report suggests.

The DfT’s ‘Road Condition Indicator’ (RCI) is made up of several factors which combine to give an overall measure of the state of the road. Based on their RCI score, the condition of the roads can be split into three categories (red, amber and green). Roads classified as red are described as ‘should have been considered for maintenance’, or in need of attention.

The proportion of ‘A’ roads that should have been ‘considered for maintenance’ in 2016/17 was 3%, the same as the previous year – but down from 5% in 2012/13.

The bulletin also shows that 6% of ‘B’ and ‘C’ roads should have been considered for maintenance, the same as in the previous year.

The DfT says there are many possible reasons for these changes including milder winters, local authority road maintenance strategies, funding, and the levels of road traffic and congestion.

However, unclassified roads have not seen the same improvement over the last five years – remaining ‘broadly stable’.