Reform UK has faced criticism for their handling of road maintenance issues, with recent analysis revealing that Councils under Reform leadership have been the least successful in repairing potholes. The Government’s introduction of a new traffic light system to address potholes has highlighted that a significant number of Local Highway Authorities led by Reform have been rated ‘Red’, indicating poor performance. This assessment, conducted by the Department for Transport, evaluates 154 local highway authorities based on road conditions and the efficiency of their use of government funding for road maintenance.
Among the Reform Councils assessed, including Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and West Northamptonshire, three out of only 12 have received a ‘Red’ rating. Similarly, Conservative Councils have also struggled in addressing pothole issues, with nearly one in five of their Councils receiving a ‘Red’ rating.
Anna Turley MP, Chair of the Labour Party, criticized Reform Councils for their poor track record in pothole repairs, emphasizing the government’s substantial investment in tackling this issue. The data analyzed covers the period between March 2025 and June 2025, predating Reform’s assumption of local authority control. Authorities classified as ‘Red’ include Cumberland, Cumbria; Bolton, Greater Manchester; Leicestershire; Suffolk; and Kensington and Chelsea, among others. The DfT has pledged support and funding to assist ‘Red’ authorities in improving their practices.
On the other hand, authorities like Essex, Wiltshire, Coventry, Leeds, and Darlington have been rated as ‘Green’, indicating better performance in road maintenance. The government has allocated £7.3 billion for local road maintenance funding until 2029/30, aiming to enhance road conditions and reduce repair costs for drivers.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, addressing long-standing road maintenance issues, and providing financial support to local authorities for effective road repairs.
In response, a spokesperson from Reform UK defended their efforts in addressing road maintenance challenges inherited from previous administrations. They cited progress made in areas like Derbyshire, where the backlog of potholes was reportedly cleared within the first six months of the Reform administration. Despite acknowledging the ongoing work required, Reform emphasized their commitment to reversing the neglect of road maintenance under previous leaderships.
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