Confusion over national roads ratings as “spreadsheet error” set to be corrected

North Lincolnshire Council’s position in national roads league tables is under review following a “spreadsheet error”.

The council invested record levels in road maintenance and highways improvements last year and was recognised in the new Department for Transport’s (DfT) assessment as being amber for both the condition of roads and for demonstrating best practice in maintenance.

The council’s rating for the third category, spend, was scored as zero, pulling the overall classification into the lowest category.

A council spokesman said: “This comes down to how a new spreadsheet has been interpreted.

“There is always more to do and always another pothole to fix but the issue with these rankings relates to how spend has been presented not the condition of the roads.

“There will be more resurfacing taking place across North Lincolnshire with the programme to be delivered once the weather improves.”

The council is responsible for maintaining almost 900 miles of roads, nearly 1,000 miles of footpaths, more than 330 miles of public rights of way and around 340 miles of cycleways.

The network also includes hundreds of bridges and culverts, extensive drainage infrastructure including more than 22,000 gullies, 44,000 manholes and over 1,140 miles of piped drains, as well as nearly 25,000 street lights and a wide range of traffic signals, crossings, signs and safety equipment.

The council is reviewing the issue in detail with the DfT.