Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Department's local road condition data is inadequate and lacks sufficient robustness.
Recommendation
We asked the Department why its data presented a different picture of local road conditions compared to the worsening conditions that independent analysis and user experience were showing. The Department acknowledged that its data is not good enough. For example, on unclassified roads or C roads, which account for 62% by mileage of all local roads, it collects information on their condition from local authorities on a voluntary basis and over a four-year rolling average period rather than over two years for A, B and C roads, making it less robust and not up to date.21 The Department also presented other possible reasons to us, including that local authorities may be doing just enough maintenance work to keep more roads from being rated ‘red’ but that it does not have the granularity of data to know22
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation to improve data on local road conditions, planning to collect additional data, make PAS 2161 reporting mandatory by Autumn 2025, and explore greater data-sharing through outcomes frameworks.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the local highway network, and how this maps onto the structures that are being set up to allow further devolution. As this work progresses the department will, as is usual, engage with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local government to make the case for obtaining this data. 2.3 An example of this is that the department collaborated with local government to change the annual road condition reporting requirements, producing the new British Standard for Road Condition Monitoring (PAS 2161). The department has now begun engagement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to change the single data list, to introduce the new reporting requirements against PAS 2161 as a mandatory requirement in England. 2.4 Another example of this is that the department is exploring how the aforementioned outcomes frameworks underpinning the integrated settlement can leverage greater data- sharing (as part of six-monthly reporting) between Mayoral Combined Authorities and the department on top of indicators with attached targets.