Source
Department for Transport — Local road maintenance ratings 2025 to 2026
greenOverall|green Conditiongreen Spendgreen Best Practice
9,983 pothole repairs — on an all-GREEN council
West Berkshire Council is one of only a handful of authorities in England rated GREEN on all four DfT scorecards — one of four in the South East. Its own transparency report shows capital spend at roughly double the DfT allocation, 88–92% preventative maintenance, and just 2–4% of roads in RED condition. Yet the council still recorded an estimated 9,983 pothole fills across five years, with reactive repairs nearly tripling from 924 in 2021/22 to 3,048 in 2024/25. GREEN is a network verdict. Your claim lives or dies on the specific defect.
3,048
Pothole fills in 2024/25 alone
Up from 924 in 2021/22 — roughly eight repairs every day — on a 1,303km network where the council surveys 100% of unclassified roads annually and targets 91% preventative spend in 2025/26.
The DfT's verdict — all four GREEN
| Scorecard | Performance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | — | green |
| Condition | Above DfT threshold | green |
| A roads | 76% green (2024 survey) | green |
| B & C roads | 75% green (2024 survey) | green |
| Unclassified roads | 3% red (2024 survey) | green |
| Spend | ~2× DfT capital allocation (2024/25) | green |
| Best practice | WMHI aligned, HIAMP, HMEP embedded | green |
What all-GREEN means: West Berkshire is performing above average on every DfT scorecard — one of 16 green-rated authorities in England and one of only four in the South East, alongside Portsmouth, Rotherham and others. The council states its ambition is to reach the top 10% of all local authorities for every road category within five years.
Context for your claim: GREEN measures network-level performance against other councils — not whether the specific pothole that damaged your vehicle was reasonably inspected and repaired. West Berkshire still filled an estimated 9,983 potholes across five years and documents that potholes remain the defect most reported through its customer system. A top rating makes generic “the roads are terrible” arguments useless. Specificity wins.
1,303 kilometres — mostly unclassified
Network size from West Berkshire's own transparency report — £2.96 billion gross replacement cost
| Road class | Length | Share of network |
|---|---|---|
| A roads | 117 km | 9.0% |
| B and C roads | 475 km | 36.5% |
| Unclassified (U roads) | 711 km | 54.6% |
| Total roads | 1,303 km | 100% |
| Footways | 1,193 km | — |
| Cycleways | 822 km | — |
Annual U-road surveys
Unlike many authorities, West Berkshire surveys 100% of its unclassified network annually — above the national minimum. The council uses walked inspections by independent surveyors, mobile Route Reports that produce RAG-rated defect maps, and regular safety inspections by highway inspectors.
That is a stronger condition-monitoring regime than alternate-year or three-year cycles seen elsewhere — which raises the bar for your claim unless you can show prior notice or a defect that should have been caught sooner.
Road hierarchy in programming
The council's transparency report states maintenance is prioritised on A roads first, followed by B, C, then other roads — ensuring funding targets higher-risk routes. Reprioritisation during the year redirects spend to the worst-condition sections.
For claims on U-roads — where most motorists actually drive — ask whether your street's condition data and inspection records matched the council's published KPI of no more than 6% of U-roads “in need of repair”.
Five years of condition data
RED / amber / green percentages from West Berkshire's transparency report — SCANNER on classified roads, annual surveys on unclassified
A-roads (117km — 9% of network): stable, low RED
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2% | 24% | 74% |
| 2021 | 3% | 27% | 70% |
| 2022 | 3% | 26% | 71% |
| 2023 | 3% | 24% | 73% |
| 2024 | 4% | 20% | 76% |
A-road RED has doubled from 2% to 4% since 2020, but green condition improved to 76% by 2024 as amber fell from 27% to 20%. The council's internal KPI target is no more than 4% of A-roads in need of repair.
B and C roads (475km — 36.5% of network): consistently strong
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2% | 22% | 76% |
| 2021 | 2% | 21% | 77% |
| 2022 | 2% | 20% | 78% |
| 2023 | 3% | 24% | 73% |
| 2024 | 3% | 22% | 75% |
B/C roads have held 75–78% green condition across five years. Amber peaked at 24% in 2023 — roughly 114km where “maintenance may be required soon” — before easing to 22% in 2024.
U-roads (711km — 55% of network): low RED, rising slowly
| Year | Red |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3% |
U-road RED rose from 2% to 3% between 2020 and 2024 — on 711km that is roughly 14km to 21km of residential and village roads in the worst condition band. The council's KPI target allows up to 6% of U-roads in need of repair. From 2026/27, PAS 2161 will replace the three-category SCANNER system nationally.
What GREEN condition data still shows
Even England's best-rated councils carry defects. West Berkshire's own figures show:
- • A-road RED doubled (2% → 4%) while the council targets no more than 4% in need of repair
- • B/C amber hit 24% in 2023 — over 100km flagged for maintenance soon
- • U-road RED rose 50% proportionally (2% → 3%) on the road class where most claims happen
- • Pothole fills nearly tripled in three years despite preventative-first asset management
Network-level GREEN does not mean your specific pothole was reasonably unknown or unforeseeable.
9,983 estimated pothole fills in five years
Reactive repair totals from the council's transparency report — the defect most reported by residents
| Year | Estimated potholes filled |
|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 1,072 |
| 2021/22 | 924 |
| 2022/23 | 2,011 |
| 2023/24 | 2,928 |
| 2024/25 | 3,048 |
| Five-year total | 9,983 |
The tripling trend
Pothole fills fell to 924 in 2021/22 — the low point — then rose every year to 3,048 in 2024/25. That is a 3.3× increase in three years on a network the DfT rates GREEN for condition. Averaged over five years, West Berkshire fills roughly five to six potholes every day — rising to about eight per day in 2024/25.
Customer reporting and inspections
The council states potholes remain the defect most reported through its customer reporting system, and that regular highway inspections also identify safety repairs. An all-GREEN authority still processes thousands of reactive orders because defects form between surveys — which is when prior-report evidence decides claims.
Following the money
Capital spend consistently exceeds DfT allocation — with 88–92% classed as preventative maintenance
| Year | DfT capital allocation | Capital spend | Revenue spend | Preventative (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | £7.243m | £12.416m | £3.286m | 92% |
| 2021/22 | £5.387m | £10.518m | £2.762m | 90% |
| 2022/23 | £5.387m | £8.482m | £2.789m | 88% |
| 2023/24 | £5.304m | £11.869m | £2.533m | 89% |
| 2024/25 | £5.387m | £11.515m | £2.348m | 88% |
| 2025/26 (projected) | £8.901m | £16.801m | £2.330m | 91% |
2.1×
Capital spend vs DfT allocation (2024/25)
£14.5m
Average annual capital + revenue spend since 2020/21
0.49%
Of £2.96bn asset value spent on maintenance annually
West Berkshire invests well beyond its DfT grant and targets a preventative-first approach — yet still filled nearly 10,000 potholes in five years. Spend scorecards measure programme quality, not whether the defect that damaged your car was reasonably inspected and repaired.
Response-time KPIs — the Section 58 detail
Contractual targets from West Berkshire's term maintenance contract — where individual claims are won or lost
| Defect type | Response target | On-time target |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency (2hr orders) | Immediate risk — dangerous pothole | 98% |
| Urgent (24hr orders) | High-traffic hazard, not yet immediately dangerous | 98% |
| Routine (7-day orders) | Non safety-critical, minimal traffic management | 95% |
| Routine (28-day orders) | Requires planning or traffic management | 95% |
“Potholes remain as the defect that is most reported through our Council's customer reporting system. In addition to customer reporting, we also carry out regular inspections on the highway to identify any safety repairs that are needed.”
— West Berkshire Council — Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report, October 2025
2025/26 programme — 64km of resurfacing
Planned works from the council's transparency report — £12m network investment, £4m above 2024/25
Carriageway programme
- • 83 roads identified for resurfacing — estimated 64km
- • Three-year highway improvement programme reviewed annually
- • Treatments include surface dressing, micro asphalt, slurry and inlay
- • £12m total network budget for 2025/26
Footways and innovation
- • 18 footway schemes — approximately 6km of surface improvement
- • Low-temperature asphalt standard for resurfacing (lower carbon)
- • Route Reports and AI for road marking and sign asset management
- • Lane rental feasibility study for streetworks disruption reduction
AONB context: Much of West Berkshire is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The council documents balancing maintenance with environmental protection — using warm-mix asphalt, recycled materials, and rejuvenators. If your incident was on a rural lane in the AONB, treatment choices and drainage investigations may be relevant background — but they do not remove the council's statutory duty under Section 41.
Claiming against an all-GREEN council
Honest assessment: West Berkshire is not Derbyshire — here is how that changes your approach
What works in the council's favour
- ✓ All four DfT scorecards GREEN — among England's best-rated authorities
- ✓ 100% annual U-road surveys — stronger than alternate-year cycles elsewhere
- ✓ 88–92% preventative spend with WMHI and HIAMP-aligned asset management
- ✓ 2–4% RED across all road classes — consistently low network deterioration
- ✓ Contractual KPIs with 98% emergency and urgent on-time targets
Expect a well-documented Section 58 defence. Generic “council neglect” arguments will fail.
What works in yours
- ✗ 9,983 estimated pothole fills in five years — defects still form
- ✗ Reactive fills nearly tripled from 924 to 3,048 in three years
- ✗ U-road RED rose from 2% to 3% — roughly 21km in worst condition band
- ✗ A–B–C–U hierarchy puts 711km of U-roads last in programming priority
- ✗ Council states potholes are the most-reported defect — prior reports create dated notice
The winning strategy is specificity
Against a council with all-GREEN scorecards and annual U-road surveys, your claim lives or dies on the specific defect under Section 41 and Section 58:
- • Prior reports of the same pothole — online form at westberks.gov.uk/reportapothole or 01635 519080
- • Photos showing defect size, depth, and visible age (weathered edges, previous patching)
- • Whether the pothole met the council's 40mm / 300mm repair threshold or emergency KPI criteria
- • Road class — U-roads sit at the bottom of the A–B–C–U programming hierarchy
- • Whether the council met its own 2-hour, 24-hour, or 7-day contractual response targets
Mac builds exactly this case: prior-report search, photo assessment, and West Berkshire's own transparency data cited where it helps — without pretending an all-GREEN authority is the same as a failing one.
Report the pothole to West Berkshire first
West Berkshire's transparency report states potholes are the defect most reported through its customer system. The council normally repairs potholes with a 40mm vertical edge and 300mm width, assessed using a risk-based approach. Reporting creates a dated case reference and email updates — useful evidence if the pothole was known before your incident, or if the council failed to repair it within its KPI timeframes.
Report a pothole to West Berkshire CouncilFor emergencies presenting imminent threat to life or serious injury, call 01635 519080 instead of using the online form. Keep your case reference number and confirmation emails.
Hit a pothole in West Berkshire?
An all-GREEN council demands a precise claim. £35 for a professional claim pack.
DIY claim
- • Submit photos and invoices
- • Use generic template letter
- • Ignore all-GREEN Section 58 strength
- • No KPI response-time argument
- • No prior-report search
Professional claim pack
- ✅ All-GREEN rating acknowledged honestly
- ✅ 9,983 five-year pothole total cited
- ✅ U-road hierarchy and KPI timeframes argued
- ✅ Prior reports searched and attached
- ✅ Section 58 rebuttal tailored to West Berkshire
No percentage fees. You keep 100% of any compensation.
Frequently asked questions
Does West Berkshire's all-GREEN DfT rating block my pothole claim?
No — but it changes your approach. West Berkshire is one of only a handful of councils in England rated GREEN on all four DfT scorecards, which strengthens their Section 58 defence at network level. Your claim still turns on the specific defect: whether it met intervention criteria, whether it was found in a safety inspection, and whether it was repaired within the council's own KPI timeframes — not on the colour of a district-wide scorecard.
What does all-GREEN actually mean for West Berkshire?
GREEN means West Berkshire performs above the DfT threshold on overall condition, spend, and best practice. Its own transparency report shows 2–4% of roads in RED condition across every class, capital spend running at roughly double the DfT allocation, and 88–92% of maintenance classed as preventative. It does not mean zero potholes: the council filled an estimated 9,983 potholes across five years, including 3,048 in 2024/25 alone.
West Berkshire shows just 3% RED roads — can I still claim?
Yes. RED is a network survey category, not a guarantee that no individual pothole was unreasonably left unrepaired. On 711km of unclassified roads, 3% RED still represents roughly 21km of residential network in the worst condition band. The council's own data shows pothole fills nearly tripled from 924 in 2021/22 to 3,048 in 2024/25. Reactive repairs, public reports, and inspection records for your specific street decide the claim.
Why did pothole repairs nearly triple if the council is all-GREEN?
West Berkshire's transparency report does not explain the rise directly, but it states potholes remain the defect most reported through the customer system and that the maintenance programme prioritises A roads first, then B, C, then other roads. A well-maintained network at district level can still produce rising reactive workload — particularly on the 711km of U-roads that make up 55% of the carriageway network. GREEN measures outcomes against other councils, not whether your specific defect was caught in time.
U-roads are surveyed 100% annually — does that weaken my claim?
It strengthens the council's Section 58 position compared with councils on multi-year or alternate-year survey cycles. West Berkshire surveys its full unclassified network every year using walked inspections and mobile Route Reports — above the national minimum. Your claim therefore needs to show the specific defect should have been caught sooner: prior reports before your incident, photos showing visible age, or proof it met emergency or urgent KPI criteria and was not repaired within 2 or 24 hours.
What repair criteria does West Berkshire apply to reported potholes?
The council's online guidance states it will normally repair potholes with a 40mm vertical edge and 300mm width, assessed using a risk-based approach — but each defect is judged individually. Emergency defects presenting immediate risk have a 98% on-time target within 2 hours; urgent 24-hour orders and routine 7- or 28-day orders have their own KPIs. Liability under Section 41 is not defined solely by the repair threshold — prior reports and evidence the pothole posed a hazard before your incident all matter.
Does the A–B–C–U road hierarchy affect claims on residential streets?
Potentially, yes — as context, not as a legal excuse. West Berkshire's transparency report states funding is prioritised on A roads first, followed by B, C, then other roads, to focus on higher-risk routes. U-roads make up 711km — 55% of the network — and sit at the bottom of that programming hierarchy. If your pothole was on an estate or village road, ask whether condition data and inspection records for that street matched the council's published KPI targets for roads "in need of repair" (6% threshold on U-roads).
Data sources: Department for Transport — Local Road Maintenance Ratings 2025 to 2026 | West Berkshire Council Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report (October 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 GREEN; condition GREEN; spend GREEN; best practice GREEN.
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.