Source
Department for Transport — Local road maintenance ratings 2025 to 2026
redOverall|amber Conditionred Spendamber Best Practice
Report caveat: North Lincolnshire updated its transparency report after a meeting with the DfT on 13 January 2026. Capital spend figures in an earlier table were misinterpreted and have been revised — see the spending section below before citing any figures.
20,200 Pothole Repairs as U-Road Green Condition Falls from 72% to 50%
North Lincolnshire Council maintains 1,406km of roads and earns RED DfT scorecards overall and on spend, with condition rated AMBER. Its own transparency data shows 733km of unclassified roads (52% of the network) where green-rated condition dropped 22 percentage points in four years, pothole fills rose 17% to 20,200 in 2024/25, and a temporary switch from SCANNER to engineer inspections in 2024 doubled published RED figures on B/C roads. Section 58 still turns on your specific defect.
50%
Green-rated U-roads in 2024
Down from 72% in 2020 on 733km of unclassified roads — half the network now amber or red by the council's own AEI survey data, while the council filled an estimated 20,200 potholes in 2024/25.
1,406km of Roads — Mostly Unclassified
Network scale from North Lincolnshire's highways maintenance transparency report — where pothole claims most often arise
1,406km
Total carriageway
733km
Unclassified (U) roads
52% of the network
493km
B and C roads
180km
A roads
| Asset | Scale |
|---|---|
| Footways | 1,596km |
| Cycleways | 546km |
| Public rights of way | 534km |
| Bridges and structures | 475 structures (114 bridges, 349 culverts) |
| Highway gullies | 22,519 |
“The highway network in North Lincolnshire comprises 1406 km of roads. With an asset value more than £1.72 billion (excluding land), it is the most valuable infrastructure asset owned by the Council.”
— North Lincolnshire Council Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (updated January 2026)
U-Road Condition: 72% Green to 50% Green in Four Years
AEI survey data for unclassified roads — re-calculated from Annual Engineers Inspections, replacing earlier Coarse Visual Inspection submissions to the DfT
Methodology caveat: The council states U-road figures above were re-calculated using AEI survey data — previously, numbers submitted to the DfT were based on Coarse Visual Inspections (CVI). Classified A and B/C roads used SCANNER laser surveys until 2024, when independent AEI replaced SCANNER temporarily. The council plans to return to SCANNER reporting for 2025.
Unclassified roads (733km) — where most claims start
| Year | Red | Amber | Green | Problematic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14% | 14% | 72% | 28% |
| 2021 | 15% | 15% | 70% | 30% |
| 2022 | 18% | 25% | 57% | 43% |
| 2023 | 16% | 33% | 51% | 49% |
| 2024 | 16% | 34% | 50% | 50% |
Green-rated U-roads fell 22 percentage points from 2020 to 2024 — roughly 161km of network moving from acceptable to amber or red condition. The council states U-roads are “performing roughly in line with the national average,” but half the unclassified network is now amber or red by its own AEI data.
A roads (180km) — SCANNER until 2024, then AEI
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 (Scanner) | 2.6% | 16.1% | 81.3% |
| 2024 (AEI) | 4.01% | 18.24% | 77.75% |
B and C roads (493km) — RED condition more than doubled in 2024
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 (Scanner) | 4.7% | 26.3% | 69.0% |
| 2024 (AEI) | 9.59% | 34.14% | 56.26% |
“Reason for our change in trend on previous years was due to a temporary change in the data collection method. The 2024 figures were produced from an Independent Annual Engineers Inspection (AEI) as opposed to our traditional Scanner survey method. We will recommence reporting via Scanner data for 2025 when we expect to return to figures in the region of 3%.”
— North Lincolnshire Council — A-road condition note, transparency report
“The figures presented above were re-calculated using AEI survey data. Previously, we had submitted numbers to Dft based on Coarse Visual Inspections (CVI).”
— North Lincolnshire Council Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (updated January 2026)
Following the Money — Revised January 2026 Figures
RED spend scorecard from the DfT, with corrected capital spend published after the January 2026 DfT meeting
Spending caveat: Following a meeting with the DfT on 13 January 2026, the council confirmed an earlier June 2025 spending table was misinterpreted. Two figures were combined to reflect the value expected by the DfT. The revised table below is the authoritative source. An original table with lower capital-spend figures remains on the council page for reference.
| Year | DfT capital (£000s) | Capital spend (£000s) | Revenue spend (£000s) | Preventative | Reactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 (projected) | 9,030 | 11,030 | 3,235 | 77% | 23% |
| 2024/25 | 6,537 | 7,295 | 3,235 | 69% | 31% |
| 2023/24 | 8,062 | 8,890 | 3,235 | 73% | 27% |
| 2022/23 | 8,574 | 11,873 | 3,820 | 76% | 24% |
| 2021/22 | 9,075 | 11,089 | 2,524 | 81% | 19% |
| 2020/21 | 9,595 | 10,785 | 2,189 | 83% | 17% |
Why spend is RED at DfT level
The Department for Transport awards North Lincolnshire a RED spend scorecard — one of 13 authorities with an overall RED rating in 2025/26. Revised transparency figures show capital spend meeting or exceeding DfT allocation in recent years, with 69–83% classified as preventative. The RED scorecard reflects DfT methodology applied to the authority's published data, not a simple comparison of two table rows.
Why claims still happen
The council uses capital budgets for first-time permanent pothole repairs and multi-year schemes, while reactive revenue budgets cover emergency repairs pending permanent fixes. Aggregate spend does not prove the individual pothole was known and repaired within inspection intervals — especially on U-roads where condition has deteriorated while pothole fills rose 17%.
20,200 Pothole Fills in 2024/25 — Up 17% in Five Years
Estimated fills from tarmac volumes — defects at investigatory level (40mm deep, 300mm plan dimension)
| Year | Potholes filled | Change vs 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 17,260 | Baseline |
| 2021/22 | 15,840 | −8.2% |
| 2022/23 | 15,460 | −10.4% |
| 2023/24 | 16,320 | −5.4% |
| 2024/25 | 20,200 | +17.0% |
“A pothole will be at investigatory level when it is greater than 40mm deep and its horizontal (plan) dimension is greater than 300mm in any direction.”
— North Lincolnshire Council Highways Maintenance Transparency Report
Up to 15,000 potholes projected for 2025/26
The council estimates up to 15,000 potholes could need attention in 2025/26 depending on weather conditions. It plans to resurface 38.6km of carriageway in 2025/26, which it equates to repairing approximately 2,570 potholes — while reactive fills continue alongside preventative programmes.
Resurfacing: 45 Miles to 21 Miles — a 53% Decline from Peak
Miles treated via surface dressing, carriageway resurfacing and recycling — DfT and council capital funding
| Year | Miles treated | Total spend | Change vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | 27 | £3.19m | Baseline |
| 2020/21 | 45 | £8.14m | Peak |
| 2021/22 | 36 | £5.06m | −20% |
| 2022/23 | 33 | £5.89m | −27% |
| 2023/24 | 25 | £5.47m | −44% |
| 2024/25 | 21 | £3.70m | −53% |
874
miles of roads (1,406km)
21
miles treated (2024/25)
~11
miles planned resurfacing (2025/26)
38.6km
total carriageway programme (2025/26)
“During 2025/26 North Lincolnshire Council provisional maintenance programmes aim to: Resurface around 11 miles of carriageway, investing in the region of £4,000,000.”
— North Lincolnshire Council Highways Maintenance Transparency Report
Inspections, Surveys and Section 58
How North Lincolnshire says it knows the condition of its network — and where gaps appear
Survey methods
- • A and B/C roads: SCANNER laser surveys (100% A-roads annually; 100% B-roads one direction; 50% C-roads one direction)
- • 2024 exception: independent AEI replaced SCANNER temporarily
- • U-roads: Annual Engineers Inspections (AEI) by independent accredited inspectors
- • From 2026/27: BSI PAS 2161 five-category standard required nationally
- • Safety inspections: all adopted roads monitored by highway inspectors; reactive inspections from public reports
Scheme prioritisation
The council operates a Scheme Prioritisation Scoring system using AEI condition data, highway inspector priority sites, road hierarchy, insurance claims, collision sites, and customer enquiries.
Streets with large numbers of potholes are analysed within the prioritisation system and placed on preventative maintenance programmes — but reactive emergency repairs still precede permanent fixes on many defects.
Section 41 vs Section 58
Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, North Lincolnshire must maintain public highways. To defend a claim under Section 58, it must show a reasonable system for inspecting and repairing the specific defect — not just publish transparency tables.
- • Was your U-road condition captured by the most recent AEI survey — and had it deteriorated from 72% to 50% green?
- • Did the 2024 methodology switch from SCANNER to AEI affect how your road class was recorded?
- • Were there prior reports (council online form, 01724 297000) giving actual notice?
- • Does photographic evidence show defect age beyond the council's inspection interval?
“We will recommence reporting via Scanner data for 2025 when we expect to return figures in the region of 5%.”
— North Lincolnshire Council — B/C road condition note, transparency report
Claiming Against a RED-Rated Unitary Authority
Honest assessment: North Lincolnshire invests in preventative maintenance — but published outcomes show deterioration on the roads where most claims arise
What works in the council's favour
- ✓ Revised capital spend at or above DfT allocation in recent years
- ✓ 69–83% preventative maintenance share over five years
- ✓ AMBER condition scorecard — not the lowest tier
- ✓ Structured safety inspections on all adopted roads
- ✓ Asset management aligned to Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure code
Expect the council to cite preventative spend ratios and inspection regimes. Generic neglect arguments alone may not succeed.
What works in yours
- ✗ Overall RED and spend RED DfT scorecards
- ✗ 733km of U-roads — green condition fell from 72% to 50% (2020–2024)
- ✗ 20,200 pothole fills in 2024/25 — up 17% while U-roads deteriorated
- ✗ Resurfacing at 21 miles in 2024/25 — down 53% from 2020/21 peak
- ✗ 2024 AEI switch doubled published B/C RED from 4.7% to 9.59%
- ✗ Council expects SCANNER to return lower RED percentages in 2025
The winning strategy here is specificity
Against an authority with revised capital budgets and preventative ratios, your claim lives or dies on the specific defect and road class:
- • Prior reports of the same pothole — proof of actual notice beyond network surveys
- • Photos showing defect size, depth and age (weathered edges, previous patching)
- • Road class — on a U-road, the 72%→50% green deterioration is your strongest structural argument
- • Whether the council can explain the 2024 survey methodology change for your road type
Fixtyer builds exactly this case: prior-report search, photo assessment, and citations from North Lincolnshire's own transparency data — including the January 2026 spending correction — where it helps you, without overstating what the evidence proves.
Report a pothole to North Lincolnshire Council
Reporting a defect creates a record the council had notice. The council states a qualified inspector assesses every reported defect, usually within 10 working days. Do this before claiming — and tell us when you reported it so we can reference it in your pack.
Report a road or path concern — northlincs.gov.ukHit a pothole in North Lincolnshire?
A RED-rated authority with deteriorating U-roads demands a precise claim. £35 for a professional claim pack.
DIY claim
- • Submit photos and invoices
- • Use generic template letter
- • No U-road 72%→50% deterioration argument
- • No prior-report search
- • No January 2026 spending correction context
Professional claim pack
- ✅ U-road deterioration documented from council AEI data
- ✅ 20,200 pothole fills in 2024/25 cited
- ✅ SCANNER/AEI methodology switch referenced
- ✅ Prior reports searched and attached
- ✅ Section 58 rebuttal tailored to North Lincolnshire
No percentage fees. You keep 100% of any compensation.
Frequently asked questions
North Lincolnshire has a RED DfT spend rating — does that guarantee my claim will succeed?
No guarantee. The Department for Transport awards North Lincolnshire a RED spend scorecard alongside an overall RED rating. Section 58 turns on whether the specific defect that damaged your vehicle was reasonably inspected and repaired — not on scorecard colours alone. What helps is evidence tied to your road: prior reports, photos showing defect age, and the council's own U-road deterioration data (green-rated U-roads falling from 72% in 2020 to 50% in 2024).
The council revised its spending figures in January 2026 — which numbers should I trust?
Use the revised table published after the council's meeting with the DfT on 13 January 2026. The council states an original June 2025 table was misinterpreted and has been corrected — two figures were combined to reflect the value expected by the DfT. The revised figures show capital spend of £7.295m in 2024/25 against a DfT allocation of £6.537m. The original lower capital-spend rows remain on the council page for transparency but should not be cited as current spend.
What if my pothole was on an unclassified road?
Unclassified roads make up 733km — 52% of North Lincolnshire's 1,406km carriageway network. AEI survey data shows green-rated U-roads fell from 72% in 2020 to 50% in 2024, while amber rose from 14% to 34%. That represents roughly 161km of network moving from acceptable to problematic condition. If your incident was on a U-road, the council's own published deterioration on the road class where most claims arise is directly relevant.
Why does the Scanner versus AEI switch matter?
The council's 2024 condition figures for A and B/C roads were produced from independent Annual Engineers Inspections (AEI) rather than SCANNER laser surveys. B/C road RED condition rose from 4.7% in 2023 to 9.59% in 2024, and A-road RED rose from 2.6% to 4.01%. The council states it will recommence reporting via SCANNER data for 2025 and "expect to return to figures in the region of 3%" for A-roads and "in the region of 5%" for B/C roads — acknowledging the methodology change drove the trend.
North Lincolnshire filled 20,200 potholes in 2024/25 — does that mean the roads are fixed?
No. The council estimates pothole fills from tarmac volumes using a standard 300mm × 300mm × 40mm definition — the same threshold it uses for investigatory repairs. Fills rose from 17,260 in 2020/21 to 20,200 in 2024/25, a 17% increase, while U-road condition continued to deteriorate and miles resurfaced fell to 21 in 2024/25. Reactive repair volume indicates ongoing defect formation; it is not proof your specific pothole was maintained to a reasonable standard.
Resurfacing fell from 45 miles to 21 miles — does that strengthen a claim?
It can provide context. The council treated 45 miles in 2020/21 and 21 miles in 2024/25 across surface dressing, resurfacing and recycling programmes. On a 874-mile network (1,406km), 21 miles is roughly 2.4% — below the 5–7% annual treatment rate often cited as necessary to maintain a network. For 2025/26 the council plans around 11 miles of carriageway resurfacing plus surface dressing and recycling. Whether that gap affected your specific road depends on inspection records and defect history.
How do I report a pothole to North Lincolnshire Council?
Report road and path surface problems via the council's online form at northlincs.gov.uk or by calling 01724 297000. The council states a qualified inspector assesses every reported defect, usually within 10 working days. Prior reports of the same defect strengthen a claim by demonstrating the council had notice before your incident. Fixtyer searches for existing reports and attaches them to your claim pack.
Data sources: Department for Transport — Local Road Maintenance Ratings 2025 to 2026 | North Lincolnshire Council Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (updated January 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Reusable evidence record
Council rating evidence and provenance
Rating period: 2025-2026 · Reviewed 19 July 2026
Observed DfT fact
Overall RED; condition AMBER; spend RED; best practice AMBER.
Cautious interpretation
This is network-level context. The rating does not determine liability for a particular incident or establish what was known about a specific defect.
Correction status: No correction recorded.