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Thousands of miles of UK roads in poor condition

Published March 20, 2018

In March 2018 the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Shared Data Unit  some 10% of the road network maintained by local authorities in Great Britain is in poor condition, or had been flagged for further inspection.

We analysed eight years' of public data from the Department for Transport (DfT), the National Improvement Service for Local Government in Scotland, and six years' of data from Data Unit Wales’ Local Authority Performance. The Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure was unable to provide us with comparable data on the condition of its roads.

Our analysis revealed about 37,000 kilometres (22,990 miles) across England, Wales and Scotland fell below top standard in surveys.

The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:

  • Daventry Express:  19 March
  • The Scotsman:  20 March
  • Southern Daily Echo:  20 March
  • Yorkshire Evening Post:  20 March
  • Your Thurrock:  20 March
  • Scotland: STV News:  20 March
  • The Northern Echo: 20 March
  • Bob FM:  20 March
  • Southern Daily Echo:  21 March
  • Worcester News:  21 March
  • South Wales Argus:  21 March
  • Staffs Live:  23 March
  • Wrexham: The Leader:  23 March
  • Edinburgh Evening News:  23 March
  • Romsey Advertiser:  26 March
  • Solihull Observer:  26 March
  • Bromsgrove Advertiser:  21 March
  • Free Press:  21 March
  • Hampshire Chronicle: 21 March
  • Wales: The Leader:  9 April

The story was also covered by: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News at Six, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ WM, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Kent.

Non-partner coverage:

  • Staffs Live:  23 March
  • Coventry Observer:  26 March
  • Government Business:  20 March
  • Cycling Weekly:  20 March
  • Infrastructure Intelligence:  6 April
  • World Highways:  12 April

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Background and briefing