Highways maintenance and resurfacing information
How we maintain local roads, pavements, and the wider highway network
What we are responsible for maintaining
We are responsible for maintaining 555 km of public highways with a value of approximately £1 billion – this makes it one of the Council’s most valuable public assets.
Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, we have a statutory duty to maintain this public highway network, ensuring it supports the safe movement of people and goods across the borough. The public highway network is not limited to carriageways (roads) alone but also includes additional asset types such as footways, street lighting, drainage and highway structures.
Key assets maintained by the Council include:
- Roads: 554.9 km
- Pavements and public rights of way: 893.5 km
- Street lights: 21,007
- Bridges: 23
- Road gullies (drains): 22,729
- Cycleways: 12km
- Culverts: 34
Much of our highway network has evolved over time, rather than being built to modern standards, requiring increasing levels of maintenance and renewal to remain safe and serviceable. The network experiences ongoing wear from increasing traffic loading, utility works and weather-related deterioration, placing additional pressure on ageing infrastructure.
Maintenance budgets have not kept pace with inflation and rising construction costs or the scale of accumulated need. As a result, there is increasing pressure on available resources and a greater reliance on more costly reactive repairs and reconstruction works where asset deterioration has become more advanced.
Road conditions
We undertake annual condition surveys of its carriageway network using Vaisala RoadAI, an AI-driven visual survey. We first adopted this innovative technology in 2022/23, using the condition data to understand asset condition, maintenance backlog and support investment decisions. Condition scores should be interpreted as follows:
Green: These roads are in a good condition. No treatment is required but early-life preventative treatments (e.g. rejuvenation) can extend useful life.
Amber: These roads are in a fair condition. Preventative treatments can help tackle early-stage defects (e.g. cracking, fretting) and restore surface life.
Red: These roads are in a poor condition and have reached the end of their useful life. They are prioritized for structural maintenance (e.g. resurfacing).
Based on these regular condition surveys, we monitor the condition of its carriageways over time to understand trends and determine the success of its investment. Condition percentages are reported for the last three years, below.
The published official statistics for road condition include more detail about the methodology, timing and coverage of this data.
A roads
| Year | Percentage of road in red category | Percentage of road in amber category | Percentage of road in green category |
| 2023 | 8% | 26% | 66% |
| 2024 | 7% | 25% | 68% |
| 2025 | 10% | 29% | 61% |
B and C roads
| Year | Percentage of road in red category | Percentage of road in amber category | Percentage of road in green category |
| 2023 | 33% | 39% | 28% |
| 2024 | 34% | 32% | 35% |
| 2025 | 21% | 40% | 40% |
U roads
| Year | Percentage of road in red category |
| 2023 | 40% |
| 2024 | 40% |
| 2025 | 49% |
The figure(s) provided for previous years have been revised from the figure(s) provided last year due to an unknown issue at the time of publishing. Therefore, the figure(s) may not match the FYE25 DfT published official statistics, however, this revision has been verified by DfT and will be updated in the FYE26 official statistics.
What we are doing about potholes and other road defects
What is a pothole?
We define a pothole as a localised failure of a bituminous highway surface where material has broken away, creating a depression or hole in the carriageway or footway. Potholes typically form when water penetrates cracks in the road surface. Repeated traffic loading, weathering and freeze-thaw cycles can weaken the underlying layers, leading to surface failure and loss of material.
What we are doing to tackle potholes
We take a proactive, risk-based approach to highway maintenance, combining routine safety inspections, reactive repairs and planned maintenance to keep the highway network safe and serviceable. Roads are inspected at frequencies based on their classification and level of use, with defects assessed and prioritised in accordance with the Council's Highway Safety Inspection Strategy.
Potholes can affect both the condition of the network and the safety of highway users. In Redbridge, carriageway defects measuring 40mm or greater in depth are classified as requiring investigation. A lower intervention level of 20mm applies at higher-risk locations, such as pedestrian crossing points and cycle routes.
During 2025/26, we estimate that at least 2467 potholes were repaired across the highway network.We prioritise permanent repairs wherever practicable, with approximately 76% of repairs completed using permanent methods and 24% undertaken as temporary repairs to make locations immediately safe pending permanent treatment. Temporary repairs may be necessary where factors such as traffic management requirements, utility constraints, adverse weather or coordination with planned works prevent an immediate permanent repair, or if the risk is high enough to require immediate response (i.e. a ‘make safe’ repair).
How members of public can report potholes and other highway defects
Members of the public can report potholes and other highway defects including damaged footways, drainage issues, obstructions and street lighting faults through our online Report-It portal on the website. Users are asked to provide details of the defect, including its location, size and severity. Photographs are encouraged to help identify the defect, although they are not mandatory. The public can also report defects to us by telephone or email if necessary.
What happens after a pothole is reported
Reported potholes and other highway defects are recorded within the Council’s Asset Management System and assigned for inspection by a highway inspector. Defects are assessed using a risk-based approach, taking into account factors such as size, location, and traffic or pedestrian usage, to determine the appropriate response priority. Immediate hazards are made safe within two hours, while lower-risk defects are repaired within the relevant target timescales. Wherever practicable, permanent repairs are undertaken to provide a durable solution. Defects identified as falling outside the Council’s responsibility are referred to the appropriate authority for investigation and action.
What we spend to maintain the highway network and where the funding is coming from
Spending on highways maintenance
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27(projected) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total spend on highways maintenance | £10.139 | £14.03m | £16.555mm |
| Carriageways | £4.645m | £7.122m | £9.009m |
| Footways | £2.396m | £1.827m | £2.344m |
| Structures (for example bridges or tunnels) | £0.558m | £2.274m | £1.990m |
| Drainage | £0.729m | £0.560m | £0.785m |
| Street lighting | £1.253m | £1.651m | £1.729m |
| Other Assets | £0.558m | £0.597m | £0.698m |
Where our funding for highways maintenance comes from
Our highways maintenance activities are funded through a combination of central government grant and locally allocated Council funding.
The primary source of capital funding is the DfT highways maintenance block grant, allocated directly to local highway authorities. Since 2025/26, this funding has increased significantly as part of the Government's commitment to record levels of highways maintenance investment, with allocations confirmed through to 2029/30. Redbridge will receive up to £8.23 m over the next 3 years, of which £5.164 m forms a guaranteed baseline element, and an additional £3.066 m incentive funding, subject to meeting certain criteria. This provides Redbridge with greater funding certainty, shifting focus from reactive-focused regimes to long-term, planned and preventative maintenance.
| Funding sources for highways maintenance | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27(projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding received through the Department for Transport / UK Government | £0.262m | £1.068m | £1.811m |
| Additional highways maintenance funding provided by the Council | £12.351m | £14.719m | £14.744 |
| Total | £12.613m | £15.787m | £16.555 |
Our maintenance plans for this year
Our plans for highways maintenance for 2026-27
We will continue to deliver a risk-based highways maintenance programme in 2026/27 in line with our Highways Asset Management Plan, targeting investment where it will provide the greatest benefit to network condition, safety and long-term asset performance. Planned maintenance activities include:
- Carriageway resurfacing: Approximately 5.38 km of carriageway resurfacing across the network.
- Preventative surface treatments: Approximately 0.644 km of carriageways to receive preventative treatments.
- Carriageway reconstruction: Approximately 4.93 km of carriageway reconstruction across the network.
- Footway renewal: Approximately 2.64 km of footway maintenance.
- George Lane Viaduct enabling works: Commencement of enabling works to support replacement of bridge stairs, deck reconstruction, joint renewals and waterproofing renewal.
Full list of planned carriageway and footway works
We are committed to being open and transparent about where and how it invests in the highway network. Roads and footways earmarked for planned maintenance works in 2026/27, including the type of treatment to be carried out, are set out below:
The planned maintenance programmes for 2026/27 are developed using asset condition data, engineering inspections, lifecycle planning principles and available funding to ensure investment is targeted where it will provide the greatest benefit to network condition and serviceability.
| Road Name | Ward | Estimated Value (£) | Forecast Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brocket Way | Hainault | 605,588 | 2026/27 |
| Huntsman Road | Hainault | 525,945 | 2026/27 |
| Falconer Road | Hainault | 37,180 | 2026/27 |
| Elmbridge Road | Hainault | 174,724 | 2026/27 |
| The Vale | Churchfields | 77,571 | 2026/27 |
| Forest Way | Monkhams | 298,771 | |
| Pelham Road | Ilford Town | 91,768 | 2026/27 |
| Brockenhurst Gardens | Loxford | 77,441 | 2026/27 |
| Couchmore Avenue | Fullwell | 77,276 | 2026/27 |
| Leeds Road | Newbury | 29,046 | 2026/27 |
| Wanstead Lane (Beehive Lane to The Drive) | Cranbrook | 140,450 | 2026/27 |
| Sandringham Gardens | Fairlop | 159,808 | 2026/27 |
| Waverley Gardens | Fairlop | 135,616 | 2026/27 |
| Mordon Road | Seven Kings | 43,228 | 2026/27 |
| Darnley Road | Churchfields | 130,961 | 2026/27 |
| Mitcham Road | Seven Kings | 43,425 | 2026/27 |
| Sydney Road | Fullwell | 49,830 | 2026/27 |
| Chadacre Avenue | Clayhall | 74,799 | |
| South Park Terrace | Mayfield | 193,990 | 2026/27 |
| Cranbrook Road (Eastern Avenue to Holcombe Road) | Barkingside | 347,204 | 2026/27 |
| Lynton Crescent | Valentines | 116,651 | 2026/27 |
The main planned carriageway works are supported by a resurfacing reserve list. Reserve schemes may be brought forward where roads in the main programme have to be deferred due to utility works, development activities, or other factors that require the works to be postponed to a future financial year. The reserve programme also includes proposed surface dressing schemes for 2026/27, reflecting our commitment to trialling preventative maintenance treatments across suitable roads in the borough. This approach aims to extend carriageway life, preserve asset condition and reduce the need for more extensive intervention before significant deterioration occurs.
| Road Name | Ward | Estimated Value (£) | Forecast Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hainault Road | Aldborough | TBC | Reserve 2026/27 – surface dressing |
| Forest Road | Aldborough | TBC | Reserve 2026/27 – surface dressing |
| Lake House Road | Wanstead Park | TBC | Reserve 2026/27 – surface dressing |
| Whitehall Lane | Monkhams | 275,206 | Reserve 2026/27 |
| Princes Avenue | Monkhams | 318,173 | Reserve 2026/27 |
| Wanstead Park Road | Cranbrook | 328,657 | Reserve 2026/27 |
| Ilford Lane (part) | Loxford | 295,786 | Reserve 2026/27 |
| Barley Lane (Part) | Seven Kings | 251,851 | Reserve 2026/27 |
| Albemarle Gardens | Valentines | 196,371 | Reserve 2026/27 |
| Wallington Road | Seven Kings | 94,797 | Reserve 2026/27 |
| Vicarage Lane | Newbury | 332,019 |
Reserve 2026/27 |
We also delivers an annual footway resurfacing programme to improve pedestrian routes, maintain accessibility and extend the service life of footway assets across the borough. Similar to the carriageway programme, the footway programme remains subject to change in response to external. Where schemes cannot be delivered as planned, sites from the reserve programme may be brought forward.
| Road Name | Ward | Forecast Year |
|---|---|---|
| Castleton Road | Goodmayes | 2026/27 |
| Christchurch Road | Valentines | 2026/27 |
| Richmond Road | Clementswood | 2026/27 |
| Airthrie Road | Goodmayes | 2026/27 |
| Caterham Avenue | Fullwell | Reserve |
| Meads Lane | Seven Kings | Reserve |
| Station Road | Aldborough | Reserve |
| Woodford Bridge Road | Clayhall | Reserve |
How decisions are made on our maintenance plans
We use a risk-based asset management approach, guided by its Highways Asset Management Plan, to prioritise maintenance and ensure available funding is targeted where it will deliver the greatest benefit to the highway network. Investment decisions are informed by asset condition data, network hierarchy, highway inspector reports, reactive maintenance history, safety considerations and feedback from residents and elected members.
This evidence-based approach enables the Council to make informed decisions, maximise value for money and maintain assets at the appropriate point in their lifecycle. As set out in the Highways Asset Management Plan, we adopt a proactive maintenance philosophy that prioritises preventative treatments where appropriate, helping to extend asset life and reduce the need for more extensive and costly interventions. Annual maintenance programmes are regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect changing asset conditions, operational requirements and available funding, ensuring resources are directed to areas of greatest need and risk.
Highways maintenance transparency report technical annex
The information above is part of the local highways maintenance transparency core report.
There is also a technical annex which provides a breakdown of the capital highways maintenance funding.
Highway maintenance transparency report-Technical Annex 2026-27 (PDF 200KB)
Annual pothole information
Innovation
Warm mix asphalt
Redbridge is also using warm mix asphalt as per its standard resurfacing material which reduces the Council's carbon emissions as part of its road maintenance programme to comply with its wider goals on carbon reduction and net zero.
AI surveys
Redbridge is also working with various organisations that are looking to use AI on the road network to detect potholes and report them through to the maintenance teams to ensure potholes can be picked up and repaired at a faster rate. Redbridge have also commissioned Vaisala Road AI system to conduct annual condition surveys of the roads which feeds into the priority matrix of road resurfacing. This ensures that the Council is spending and investing in its road network appropriately and at the right time.
Low carbon resurfacing materials
Redbridge is the first borough in London to trial a unique, new asphalt mix that can significantly reduce the carbon footprint in road resurfacing works. The trailblazing project led by Redbridge Council, in partnership with Kensons Highways, utilised the revolutionary asphalt for road resurfacing works at Lodge Hill, in Ilford. The asphalt mix, supplied by Tarmac, significantly lowered the carbon footprint from the road resurfacing process by incorporating a carbon negative product into the mix, called ACLA®. Results showed that using ACLA®, Tarmac’s asphalt had reduced the project’s carbon footprint by 68%, which is equivalent to an average UK car driving 17,400 miles, or a round trip to Los Angeles for two people.
Read more about the ground-breaking new product that makes road resurfacing greener.
Protecting resurfaced roads
The London Borough of Redbridge will issue Section 58 notices under the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) 1991. The notice prevents any statutory undertakers from digging up the carriageway for a minimum of two years to protect the resurfacing the Council has completed. However, statutory undertakers such as utilities can still excavate in the need of an emergency, but they must satisfy the conditions of the Council when doing so.
Redbridge also has regular meetings with all utility companies and its own teams to ensure that roadworks are coordinated in an effective manner under the Traffic Management Act, New Roads and Street Works Act as well as the London Permit Scheme. Where possible, Redbridge urges collaboration between works to reduce disruption on the road network.
Managing and coordinating street works
Redbridge Council is committed to effectively managing and coordinating street works in line with its statutory duties under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and the Traffic Management Act 2004. The Council has adopted the London Permit Scheme, which ensures that all works on the public highway, whether by utility companies or the Council itself, are carefully planned, assessed, and monitored to minimise disruption, protect road users, and maintain network resilience. These work sites are rigorously monitored to ensure their compliance with the permits the Council have approved and their conditions, as well as monitoring the worksite for health and safety issues consistently feeding back to utilities on their performance.
In addition, Redbridge is actively exploring the introduction of a lane rental scheme, in partnership with Transport for London, similar to those already operating in other London boroughs. This would allow the Council to charge for occupation of the highway at the most traffic-sensitive times and locations, further encouraging quicker, more efficient works and delivering better outcomes for residents, businesses, and road users.
The Council has successfully operated its permit scheme for a number of years and has a record of saving at least a months worth of roadworks disruption annually through encouraging collaboration between utilities and its own contractors.
Climate change, resilience and adaption
Redbridge Council is actively addressing climate change, enhancing resilience, and promoting sustainable transport through a series of comprehensive strategies and initiatives.
The Council's Climate Change Action Plan outlines ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. This plan focuses on reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering community resilience. Initiatives include energy-efficient housing, green infrastructure, and community engagement through the Redbridge Climate Forum. Find out more about Climate Change.
In response to increasing flood risks, Redbridge has implemented Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and developed a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. Collaborations with partners like Thames Water and the Environment Agency have led to projects across the borough which includes rain gardens and attenuation tanks to manage surface water as well as other solutions. You can read more about our strategies relating to flooding and also read more about our innovation and case studies.
The Council also is working towards formally adopting a Sustainable Transport Strategy that aims to make travel in Redbridge safer, healthier, and more inclusive by 2041. Goals include increasing the use of public transport, walking, and cycling, and reducing reliance on private vehicles. The strategy emphasizes the development of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and improved connectivity between transport modes.
