A significant political row has erupted over the condition of England's roads, with a major county council publicly challenging the accuracy of new government data. Suffolk Highways has launched a strong rebuttal against the Labour government's recently unveiled traffic light system for rating local road networks.
Council Disputes 'Unfortunate Inaccuracies' in Data
The dispute centres on a new assessment framework introduced by Transport Minister Heidi Alexander. The system, which was communicated to councils only on Friday, January 16th, 2026, rates local authorities on road condition, best practice, and spending. According to the Department for Transport's analysis, Suffolk received an amber rating for road condition and following best practice, but a red rating for spending money, resulting in an overall red classification.
However, Suffolk Highways has robustly contested this outcome. A spokesperson stated: "We believe there are unfortunate inaccuracies in the data so will be raising this with the DfT on Monday." The council emphasised that it had not been forewarned about the new rating mechanism and has pledged to meet with government officials urgently to highlight its concerns.
Funding and Performance Defended by Local Authority
In its defence, Suffolk Highways stressed that every penny of government funding for highways maintenance is fully reinvested into the local network. This investment is directed specifically towards fixing potholes and resurfacing roads. The council pointed out that this commitment is evidenced by the fact it has continued to receive all expected funding this year, including performance-linked incentive payments.
This local pushback stands in contrast to the government's stated rationale for the new transparency drive. Transport Minister Heidi Alexander argued the system was necessary after years of road deterioration. "I have heard time and again their frustration on footing the bill because they hit a pothole – money they should never have to spend in the first place," she said, referencing driver complaints.
Broader Support and Criticism for New Ratings
Alexander highlighted the government's record investment, allocating £7.3 billion to local highway authorities for long-term road repairs. She stated the new public ratings would ensure residents can see how well their council is performing. "Now it’s over to them to spend the money wisely," she added, framing the initiative as a tool for public accountability.
The policy has received backing from motoring organisations. Simon Williams, Head of Policy at the RAC, called the ratings "a positive move that will help drivers understand how councils are performing." He expressed hope that, combined with longer-term funding, the approach would lead to smoother roads across the country, ending the inconsistency in maintenance standards.
The immediate consequence is a scheduled meeting between Suffolk County Council and the Department for Transport, where the disputed data will be scrutinised. The outcome may set a precedent for how other councils engage with the new rating system, which aims to publicly benchmark local road maintenance performance for the first time.
