DfT announces new transparency requirements for local authority highway maintenance funding

Article summary

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published guidance requiring local highway authorities to produce detailed transparency reports on maintenance activities to secure additional funding. Under the new requirements, 25% of the £500m additional maintenance funding for 2025-26 will be contingent on authorities publishing reports by June 2025 demonstrating compliance with best practice criteria. The reports must detail five-year maintenance spending comparisons, network condition statistics, pothole repair estimates, and planned maintenance activities. Authorities must also submit additional information by October 2025, signed off by council leaders and Section 151 officers, covering asset values and compliance with best practice criteria. The requirements apply to all local highway authorities in England, including Transport for London and mayoral combined authorities.