Why it matters: The rating determines access to Government funding and support, with the council now eligible for a dedicated £300,000 support programme of "expert planning and capability assistance" – though Suffolk Highways insists the assessment contains "unfortunate inaccuracies in the data".
The details: The Department for Transport's traffic light system rates local highway authorities across three areas: local road conditions, spending on road repairs, and use of best practice.
Suffolk received amber ratings for road condition and following best practice, but a red rating for spending money, resulting in an overall red rating alongside just 12 other authorities, including Cumberland and Derbyshire.
Green-rated areas include Essex, Sandwell, Manchester and Leeds, while North Yorkshire and Swindon scored amber.
What they're saying: A Suffolk Highways spokesperson said: "Councils weren't told about the new system until Friday and we believe there are unfortunate inaccuracies in the data so will be raising this with the DfT on Monday."
The council insists all highway maintenance funding received from the Government is "fully invested in Suffolk's highways network, including fixing potholes and resurfacing roads".
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said it was "hugely disappointing" that Suffolk County Council is "one of the worst authorities in the country for road maintenance," adding that it "will not come as a surprise to us locally."
Yes, but: Suffolk County Council says that Department for Transport data shows only 3% of Suffolk's A-road network is in poor condition – better than the England average, it says. Suffolk's B and C roads also outperform national averages, with a high share in good condition and significantly fewer in poor condition.
The bigger picture: Following the Government's £7.3bn investment in fixing potholes announced at the Budget, the ratings will determine whether local authorities are using funding efficiently to deliver long-term solutions.
Red-rated authorities are eligible for a dedicated support programme, including access to expert planning worth £300,000 to help apply best practice. Future funding allocations will be based on performance.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "For too long, drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate. This Government's record investment will save drivers money on repairs, make roads safer and help restore pride in our communities."
What's next: Suffolk Highways said it will be raising concerns about data inaccuracies with the Department for Transport. After increasing funding by nearly 50% for 2025-26, the Government has delivered a £219m funding package for Suffolk over the coming four years.
Jack Abbott added: "Suffolk County Council now has the money, so now they must finally act and fix our broken roads."
The bottom line: Despite Suffolk County Council's insistence that road conditions are improving and funding is being properly invested, the Government's new rating system has placed it among England's worst performers - a designation the council attributes to data errors.
