Buckinghamshire Highways Maintenance Transparency Report
Road conditions in Buckinghamshire
Councils use road condition surveys to assess the state of their roads. The results are grouped into three categories:
- Green – the road is in good condition and no further investigation or treatment is required
- Amber – the road may need maintenance soon
- Red – the road is in poor condition and should be considered for maintenance
The published official statistics for road condition include more detail about the methodology, timing and coverage of this data.
Conditions of different types of roads in Buckinghamshire
| Year | Percentage of road in red category | Percentage of road in amber category | Percentage of road in green category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5% | 27% | 68% |
| 2024 | 4% | 27% | 69% |
| 2025 | 4% | 28% | 68% |
| Year | Percentage of road in red category | Percentage of road in amber category | Percentage of road in green category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6% | 28% | 66% |
| 2024 | 6% | 29% | 65% |
| 2025 | 5% | 28% | 67% |
| Year | Percentage of road in red category |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 23% |
| 2024 | 23% |
| 2025 | N/A* |
*The unclassified network has historically been surveyed once every 2 years. In 2025, all unclassified roads were surveyed to support maintenance planning. However, the survey method aligns with the new standard being introduced 2026 and does not meet current DfT reporting requirements.
Additional information on carriageway condition
Over the past decade, the condition of Buckinghamshire’s road network has improved overall, with fewer roads in the poorest condition band, reflecting sustained investment in maintenance. However, progress on improving road condition has plateaued in recent years due to factors such as rising maintenance costs and increasing demands on the network. Major projects such as HS2 and East West Rail have increased heavy vehicle traffic on local routes, accelerating wear and tear, particularly where roads were not designed for this level of use.
More frequent extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall, and winter freezing can also weaken road surfaces and lead to accelerated deterioration. Increased traffic volumes, including freight and agricultural vehicles, add further pressure to these conditions. Despite these intensified demands and weather conditions, the condition of network has seen year on year incremental improvements, demonstrating that sustained and targeted investment is slowly building greater resilience into our network, as demonstrated by stable road conditions and a reducing number of potholes.