West Northamptonshire has the worst roads in the UK, according to a study by Re-flow Field Management that analysed road condition data from the Department for Transport. The study looked at the percentage of roads given 'red' status, indicating poor condition requiring immediate maintenance.
West Northamptonshire tops the list
West Northamptonshire scored 47.13, with only 24.5% of its A roads and motorways rated green, 71% amber, and 5% red. On B and C roads, just 9.5% are in good condition, 72.5% are amber, and 17.5% are red — the worst in the country for these routes. The council has committed to £100million capital investment for 2025/26, rising to £155million over four years, with £14.6million for road maintenance.
Derbyshire and North Northamptonshire follow
Derbyshire is second with a score of 46.60. Only 35.2% of its A roads and motorways are green, while 20.4% are red — the highest in the UK. B and C roads are worse, with 25.2% green and 27% red. Derbyshire County Council has committed £41million for road maintenance in 2025/26, including a £3.6million surface dressing programme at 57 sites, micro asphalt repairs to 79 residential roads costing £930,000, and patching at 111 sites.
North Northamptonshire is third with a score of 44.75. Only 26% of its A roads and motorways are green, 71% amber, and 3% red. For B and C roads, 9% are green, 82% amber, and 10% red. The council allocated around £14million for highway maintenance in 2024/25, including micro asphalt on over eight kilometres of carriageway and surface dressing on approximately 10 kilometres, aiming to fix over 1,000 potholes each week.
Top 10 worst UK road conditions
The full list includes: West Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, North Northamptonshire, Bristol (City of), Southend-on-Sea, Bath and Northeast Somerset, Bradford, Liverpool, Cheshire West and Chester, and Westminster.
Ashley Wing, CMO of Re-flow Field Management, said: "These results show a concerning picture of the UK's road infrastructure, with significant regional disparities in road quality. What's particularly worrying is seeing areas like Westminster in the top 10, showing that even wealthy boroughs aren't immune to road maintenance issues."
