Source
Department for Transport — Local road maintenance ratings 2025 to 2026
redOverall|amber Conditionred Spendamber Best Practice
30% of A-Roads in Amber as Suffolk Fills 19,159 Potholes in 2024/25
Suffolk County Council earns a RED overall DfT rating — condition AMBER, spend RED, best practice AMBER. After a decade of improvement funded by £21 million additional investment (2017–2021), classified roads are reversing: A-road green condition fell from 82.1% in 2021 to 67.5% in 2024, with amber at 30.0% — the highest in five years. Meanwhile 51.7% of the network has no U-road condition data for 2024/25 after a methodology switch, and the council still filled 19,159 carriageway potholes in 2024/25. Section 58 still turns on your specific defect.
30.0%
Of A-roads in amber condition (2024)
Up from 25.8% in 2023 and the highest in five years — on a 634km A-road network where Suffolk plans to resurface just 19.33km (12 miles) in 2025/26, while still filling ~19,000 potholes annually.
6,701km of Roads — Half Are Unclassified
Network scale from Suffolk County Council's June 2025 transparency report — where most pothole claims start
6,701km
Total carriageway
3,467km
Unclassified (U) roads
51.7% of the network
2,600km
B and C roads
634km
A roads
9.5% of carriageway network
| Asset | Scale |
|---|---|
| Footways | 10,032km |
| Public rights of way | 5,700km |
| Cycleways | 337km |
| Bridges and structures | 1,979 |
“Suffolk County Council manages and maintains adopted highway covering a length of over 6,700km. Within this adopted highway network, we maintain over 10,000km of footways and 337km of cycleways.”
— Suffolk County Council Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (June 2025)
Classified Roads Deteriorating After a Decade of Improvement
Five years of SCANNER survey data from Suffolk's transparency report — A, B and C roads only
Methodology caveat: A, B and C roads are surveyed using SCANNER laser technology and reported annually. U-roads were surveyed using AI imagery analysis — but during the 2024/25 survey year SCC transitioned to an alternative methodology, so U-road condition data for that year is not available. Outputs resume in 2025/26. From 2026/27, PAS 2161 will replace the current three-band red/amber/green system nationally. Survey snapshots also may not reflect condition at the time of your incident.
A roads (634km) — surveyed 100% annually
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1.5% | 19.4% | 79.1% |
| 2021 | 1.2% | 16.7% | 82.1% |
| 2022 | 1.9% | 23.5% | 74.6% |
| 2023 | 2.3% | 25.8% | 71.9% |
| 2024 | 2.6% | 30.0% | 67.5% |
Green A-road condition fell 14.6 percentage points from the 2021 peak of 82.1% to 67.5% in 2024. Amber rose to 30.0% — the highest in five years — meaning nearly one-third of principal roads may require maintenance soon.
B roads — gradual amber increase
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2.6% | 20.8% | 76.6% |
| 2024 | 2.6% | 21.5% | 75.8% |
C roads — red rising in 2024
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3.8% | 23.7% | 72.5% |
| 2024 | 4.8% | 24.4% | 70.8% |
C-road red condition rose to 4.8% in 2024 — up from 3.8% in 2023 and the highest since 2021.
“During the 2024–25 survey year, SCC transitioned to an alternative survey methodology. As a result, survey data for that year is not available. The new methodology will produce outputs for the 2025–26 survey year.”
— Suffolk County Council Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (June 2025)
51.7% of the Network: No U-Road Data for 2024/25
Historical U-road improvement — then a methodology switch the year classified roads deteriorated
U-road red condition (% of network) — last published data
| Year | Red | Green |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 22.5% | 77.5% |
| 2021 | 21.1% | 78.9% |
| 2022 | 19.3% | 80.7% |
| 2023 | 18.4% | 81.6% |
| 2024/25 | Data not available — methodology transition | |
U-road red condition improved steadily from 22.5% (2020) to 18.4% (2023) — then data stopped in the same survey year A-road amber hit 30.0%. For 3,467km of rural and residential roads, claimants cannot cite published network condition at the time of their incident.
Why this matters for Section 58
To rely on the Section 58 defence, Suffolk must show a reasonable system for knowing the condition of its roads. For U-roads, ask:
- • Was your road surveyed before the 2024/25 methodology gap — and when?
- • What condition record exists for your street when 51.7% of the network has no published 2024/25 data?
- • If classified roads deteriorated sharply in 2024, what evidence exists that U-roads did not follow suit?
- • Can the council prove reasonable knowledge of a defect on a road type whose condition data is unavailable?
RED Spend — Capital Below DfT Allocation
Projected 2025/26 capital spend of £36.398m against a DfT allocation of £40.833m — explaining the RED spend scorecard
£40.833m
DfT capital allocation 2025/26
£36.398m
Projected SCC capital spend 2025/26
£19.594m
Projected revenue spend 2025/26
| Year | DfT capital (£000s) | SCC capital (£000s) | Revenue (£000s) | Preventative | Reactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 (proj.) | 40,833 | 36,398 | 19,594 | 54% | 46% |
| 2024/25 | 34,428 | 47,885 | 17,944 | 57% | 43% |
| 2023/24 | 32,829 | 35,182 | 17,513 | 40% | 60% |
| 2022/23 | 27,238 | 40,279 | 16,395 | 58% | 42% |
| 2021/22 | 27,238 | 35,268 | 14,145 | 49% | 51% |
| 2020/21 | 36,829 | 30,981 | 15,274 | 53% | 47% |
Why spend is RED for 2025/26
The DfT spend scorecard compares capital spend to allocation. Suffolk projects £36.398m capital against £40.833m allocated — spending below the grant. That follows £21 million additional council investment (2017–2021) and a further £21 million capital programme (2021–2025) for drainage, footways and signage, after which classified road conditions began reversing in 2024.
2023/24 reactive spike
Reactive maintenance reached 60% in 2023/24 — the highest in the published table — while preventative work fell to 40%. A-road green condition then dropped sharply in 2024. Planned 2025/26 carriageway treatment covers 171.96km (resurfacing plus surface dressing) — 2.57% of the 6,701km network.
~19,000 Potholes Filled Every Year — No Reduction
Carriageway pothole fills from Suffolk's transparency report — reactive workload that persists despite prevention programmes
| Year | Carriageway potholes | Footway potholes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 19,131 | 2,869 |
| 2024/25 | 19,159 | 3,349 |
| 2025/26 (projected) | 19,145 | 3,109 |
Flattening the Curve — winter 2024/25 phase
Dragon Patching repairs2,907
Roadmender repairs612
Total repairs undertaken3,519
Potential potholes rectified (claimed)6,077
Prevention vs reality
The pothole prevention programme addresses defects not yet meeting HMOP safety intervention criteria. Yet carriageway pothole fills stayed at ~19,000 in 2024/25 — no reduction from 2023/24. The council plans ~3,500 further prevention repairs in 2025/26 while projecting another 19,145 pothole fills. Volume of reactive work indicates defects still form continuously across 6,701km.
“The pothole prevention programme piloted a proactive approach to road maintenance by combining two repair methods: Roadmender for urban centres and Dragon Patching for rural routes. Both methods were deployed to address potholes not yet meeting safety intervention criteria but projected to worsen if left untreated.”
— Suffolk County Council Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (June 2025)
Claiming Against a RED-Rated County Council
Honest assessment: Suffolk improved for a decade — but 2024 data shows the trajectory reversing
What works in the council's favour
- ✓ 2023 classified-road RED condition below national averages
- ✓ Decade of improvement: U-road red fell from 587.7 to 397 miles (2012–2023)
- ✓ £21 million additional investment 2017–2021 plus £21 million 2021–2025 programme
- ✓ Pothole prevention programme and asset management strategy in place
- ✓ 2024/25 capital spend (£47.885m) exceeded DfT allocation (£34.428m)
What works in yours
- ✗ RED overall DfT rating — condition AMBER, spend RED, best practice AMBER
- ✗ A-road green 67.5% and amber 30.0% in 2024 — worst green, highest amber in five years
- ✗ 3,467km U-roads (51.7%) with no 2024/25 condition data after methodology switch
- ✗ 19,159 carriageway potholes filled in 2024/25 — plateau despite prevention programme
- ✗ 60% reactive spending in 2023/24 preceded 2024 classified-road deterioration
Section 41 vs Section 58
Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, Suffolk 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 point to a decade of improvement that ended when enhanced funding ended.
- • Was your road on the U-road network during the 2024/25 survey data gap?
- • Did the defect meet HMOP intervention criteria during routine safety inspections?
- • Were there prior reports (Highways Reporting Tool, FixMyStreet) giving actual notice?
- • Does photographic evidence show defect age beyond Suffolk's inspection interval?
The winning strategy here is specificity
Against a council that can cite years of improvement and below-average 2023 RED scores, your claim lives or dies on the specific defect:
- • 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 2024/25 survey gap is your strongest structural argument
- • Timing — if your incident followed the 2023/24 reactive spending spike and 2024 deterioration
Mac builds exactly this case: prior-report search, photo assessment, and citations from Suffolk's own transparency data where it helps you — without pretending the council never improved its roads.
Report a Pothole to Suffolk County Council
Reporting a defect creates a record the council had notice. Do this before claiming — and tell us when you reported it so we can reference it in your pack. For immediate dangers, call 0345 606 6171 rather than using the online tool.
Report a highways issue — suffolk.gov.ukHit a Pothole in Suffolk?
A reversing improvement story demands a precise claim. £35 for a professional claim pack.
DIY claim
- • Submit photos and invoices
- • Use generic template letter
- • No U-road 2024/25 data-gap argument
- • No prior-report search
- • No 30% A-road amber deterioration cited
Professional claim pack
- ✅ U-road survey gap and 2024 deterioration documented
- ✅ RED/AMBER DfT scorecards cited accurately
- ✅ 19,159 pothole fills in 2024/25 referenced
- ✅ Prior reports searched and attached
- ✅ Section 58 rebuttal tailored to Suffolk
No percentage fees. You keep 100% of any compensation.
Frequently asked questions
Suffolk has a RED DfT rating — does that guarantee my claim will succeed?
No rating guarantees an outcome. The Department for Transport awarded Suffolk County Council RED overall (condition AMBER, spend RED, best practice AMBER). That signals network-level pressure — but Section 58 still turns on whether the specific defect that damaged your vehicle was reasonably inspected and repaired. Your photos, prior reports and the road's place in Suffolk's survey cycle matter more than the headline badge.
Doesn't Suffolk performing better than the national average hurt my claim?
Not automatically. Suffolk's 2023 SCANNER data beat national RED averages on classified roads (2.3% A-road RED vs 4% nationally). Section 58 requires a reasonable maintenance system for your specific defect, not performance relative to other councils. Moreover, 2024 data shows classified roads deteriorating — A-road green condition fell from 71.9% to 67.5% and amber rose to 30.0%, the highest in five years — while U-road condition data for 2024/25 is unavailable due to a methodology switch covering 51.7% of the network.
What if my pothole was on a U-road with no 2024 survey data?
Unclassified roads make up 3,467km — 51.7% of Suffolk's 6,701km carriageway network. The council's June 2025 transparency report states that during the 2024/25 survey year SCC transitioned to an alternative survey methodology, so U-road condition data for that year is not available; outputs resume in 2025/26. If your incident was on a U-road during that gap, the council's published network-level condition evidence may not cover your street at all.
Suffolk's pothole prevention programme claims 6,077 potential potholes rectified — does that block Section 58?
Not on its own. The winter 2024/25 phase of the Flattening the Curve programme recorded 3,519 repairs and claims 6,077 potential potholes rectified — yet the council still filled 19,159 carriageway potholes in 2024/25, virtually unchanged from 19,131 in 2023/24. A prevention programme that runs alongside ~19,000 annual reactive fills does not prove your specific defect was known and repaired within inspection intervals.
Why does 30% of A-roads in amber condition matter for my claim?
Amber means maintenance may be required soon. At 30.0% in 2024 — up from 25.8% in 2023 and the highest in five years — nearly one-third of Suffolk's 634km of A-roads were deteriorating towards red. The council plans to resurface around 19.33km (12 miles) of carriageways in 2025/26. That scale of backlog relative to planned treatment is evidence of systemic pressure on the network, which can support an argument about inadequate preventative capacity — especially if your defect formed on a road class showing accelerating deterioration.
Suffolk spent 60% reactively in 2023/24 — what does that mean for claims?
The transparency report shows preventative maintenance fell to 40% and reactive rose to 60% in 2023/24 — the most reactive year in the published table. Classified A-road green condition then fell sharply in 2024 (from 71.9% to 67.5%). Reactive firefighting does not excuse a specific unrepaired defect, but it helps explain why deterioration accelerated after years of improvement funded by enhanced investment that ended — and why ~19,000 potholes per year persist despite prevention programmes.
How do I report a pothole to Suffolk County Council?
Report highways defects via Suffolk's Highways Reporting Tool at highwaysreporting.suffolk.gov.uk, or through the council's report-a-highways-issue page. Do not use the online tool for immediate dangers — call 0345 606 6171 instead. 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 | Suffolk County Council Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (June 2025). 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.