It's enough to drive you potty! Hole-riven regions where as many as two in three roads need repairs are revealed in new data

Sheer number allowed to fall in 'red' condition was branded 'hugely concerning'
In Derbyshire, 68% of minor and rural roads were in the 'red' category in 2020/21
And in west London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the figure was 50%
Chancellor has announced £8bn for repairs and upgrades to several key A roads

By David Churchill Transport Correspondent For The Daily Mail

Published: 23:55 GMT, 10 November 2021 | Updated: 00:15 GMT, 11 November 2021

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Two thirds of smaller roads in some parts of the country are crumbling and riddled with potholes, official figures show.

The sheer number which have been allowed to fall into the worst ‘red’ condition was branded ‘hugely concerning’ by motoring groups.

They said local authorities, which look after roads smaller than motorways and A roads, missed a ‘golden opportunity’ to clear a backlog during the pandemic when traffic levels fell.

Data yesterday from the Department for Transport shows that across the country 23 per cent of B and C roads, and the smallest unclassified roads, were in need of repair last year, up from 22 per cent a year earlier.

In some areas the figure was far higher, with 68 per cent of minor and rural roads in Derbyshire in the ‘red’ category in 2020/21 (file photo taken in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, last year)

In the west London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (file photo), the figure was 50 per cent. The sheer number which have been allowed to fall into the worst ‘red’ condition was branded ‘hugely concerning’ by motoring groups

But in some areas the figure was far higher, with 68 per cent of minor and rural roads in Derbyshire in the ‘red’ category in 2020/21.

In the west London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the figure was 50 per cent, while it was 42 per cent in Bath & North East Somerset.

Motoring groups criticised the rise in ‘dangerous’ roads. Jack Cousens of the AA said: ‘While the Government claims road conditions are “stable”, the harsh reality is they are stuck in a rut.

‘Road users don’t have to travel too far from home to see a plethora of potholes [and] fractured tarmac which make driving and cycling uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst.’

The RAC’s Simon Williams said: ‘We’d hoped the fact so few people were using the roads last year because of the pandemic would have given councils a golden opportunity to catch up on much-needed road repairs.

'Sadly, this data appears to show there’s still a huge amount to be done.’

The figure was 42 per cent in Bath & North East Somerset (file photo). Motoring groups said local authorities missed a ‘golden opportunity’ to clear a backlog during the pandemic

Cambridgeshire saw 40% of minor roads in need of repair. Jack Cousens of the AA said: ‘While the Government claims road conditions are “stable”, the harsh reality is they are stuck in a rut'

Lincolnshire was the fifth worst area for minor roads in need of repair, with a figure of 34%. In the Budget, Rishi Sunak announced £8billion for repairs and upgrades to several key A roads

The figures show National Highways-managed A roads and motorways are in better condition, with just 7 per cent and 4 per cent respectively rated ‘red’.

But there were also big variations, with 17 per cent of A roads in Derbyshire and Southend, Essex, in need of repair.

In last month’s Budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £8billion for repairs and upgrades to several key A roads.

But the Asphalt Industry Alliance estimates fixing all potholes and getting roads back to a ‘reasonable, steady state’ would cost about £11.1billion, with the backlog taking 11 years to clear.