Highways maintenance report – Condition of local roads

Road condition assessments on the local classified road network in England are currently made predominantly using Surface Condition Assessment for the National Network of Roads (SCANNER) laser-based technology.

Several parameters measured in these surveys are used to produce a road condition indicator which is categorised into three condition categories:

• Green – No further investigation or treatment required
• Amber – Maintenance may be required soon
• Red – Should be considered for maintenance

From 2026/27 a new methodology will be used based on the BSI PAS2161 standard. Local Highway Authorities will be required to use a supplier that has been accredited against PAS2161. This new standard will categorise roads into five categories instead of three to help government gain a more detailed understanding of road condition in England.

Further details are available on the Gov.UK website. The data from the past five years has been consolidated and is presented in the the following tables for a comprehensive overview.

Percentage of A roads in each condition category

Portsmouth City Council, in collaboration with its PFI partner Ensign Highways, conducts annual road condition assessments in accordance with Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines and contractual obligations. Between 2020 and 2024, the condition of A, B, and C roads remained largely stable, with only 2–3% of A roads and 1% of B and C roads classified as being in poor condition. However, a gradual shift was observed from roads in good condition to those in fair condition particularly between 2021 and 2023 highlighting an emerging need for preventative maintenance.

Unclassified (U) roads, which comprise most of the local network and primarily serve residential and minor routes, consistently reported 1% in red (poor) condition each year. While this indicates a stable proportion of roads in the poorest condition, it also underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring.

Percentage of U roads in the red category (i.e. “Should be considered for maintenance”):

• 2020: 1%
• 2021: 1%
• 2022: 1%
• 2023: 1%
• 2024: 1%

Overall, Portsmouth’s Highway network remains in good condition. However, the increasing proportion of roads rated as fair emphasizes the need for continued investment and proactive asset management to sustain performance and prevent further deterioration