Milton Keynes has been ranked among the top ten areas in the UK for having the fewest potholes, according to a recent report. Data compiled by Blackcircles.com shows the area recorded 19,037 potholes between 2021 and 2025, which averages to 1,388 potholes per 100km of road.
While this ranking places Milton Keynes in the top ten nationally, the Department for Transport has issued an overall AMBER rating to the local authority under its new traffic light assessment system for 2025 to 2026. This system evaluates councils based on the current condition of roads, spending on maintenance, and the use of best practices.
Under these specific criteria, Milton Keynes City Council received a GREEN rating for its spending, but was rated AMBER for both road condition and the application of maintenance best practices. The local Labour group has pointed to the overall top ten ranking as evidence that road maintenance efforts are making progress, while acknowledging the need for continued investment to improve the condition of the road network.
Nationally, 87 percent of drivers report that potholes are a significant issue in their area, with 55 percent of people across the UK experiencing vehicle damage as a result. Ray Kavanagh, CEO of Blackcircles.com, noted that even small road defects can lead to problems like punctures, cracked alloy wheels, and suspension misalignment when hit at speed.
To support improvements across the country, the government has announced a record £7.3 billion in local road funding for the four years from 2026/27 to 2029/30. According to the government, more than £500 million per year will be linked to how transparently councils report their pothole data. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the funding is intended to address the long-term deterioration of roads and the resulting financial frustration for drivers.
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