Sandwell celebrates green government rating for roads as Minister visits on National Pothole Day
A ministerial visit helped Sandwell Council to mark a special day and celebrate its high ranking under a new system for highway maintenance.
Sandwell Council is celebrating a 'green' rating under the Government’s new national traffic light system for highway maintenance, a top assessment recognising strong performance, long-term investment and best practice in road upkeep.
Sandwell ranks fourth out of 154 local highway authorities (LHAs) nationally, of which only 16 were rated green; and is the top-rated LHA in the West Midlands.
The announcement came just in time for National Pothole Day and was marked by a visit from Local Roads Minister Simon Lightwood MP, who saw Sandwell’s innovative Multihog road repair machine in action.
The new ratings are in line with the annual National Highways and Transport (NHT) survey, where Sandwell ranks among the top four councils nationally for highway condition and pothole prevention.
In addition to the NHT survey, the council undertakes an annual residents' survey, which shows resident satisfaction with road maintenance in Sandwell is more than double the national local government benchmark.
Other key national rankings for Sandwell include being ranked fourth for quality of road repairs, seventh for the number of potholes and eighth for the condition of road markings.
Within the West Midlands, Sandwell ranks best for five separate highway maintenance measures, demonstrating consistently strong performance across the borough.
The council prioritises prevention over cure, sealing cracks early, applying protective surface treatments and using a proactive maintenance programme to extend road life. The authority said investment in specialist machinery like the Multihog enables faster, higher-quality repairs, ensuring potholes are fixed right first time and reducing disruption for road users.
Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, leader of Sandwell Council, said: “We are proud that Sandwell is recognised nationally for the outstanding condition of our roads. We lead the way not only in road condition, but in the speed, quality and reliability of pothole repairs.
“This green rating reflects years of consistent investment, smart planning and a commitment to doing things the right way for our residents. By using innovative technology, data-led maintenance and forward-thinking repair methods, we keep costs low while delivering safer, smoother roads.
“Well-maintained roads and pavements are essential for safety, health and connecting people to jobs, education and services. Our approach shows our commitment to being a caring council that gets things done on the issues that matter.”
Mr Lightwood said: "For too long, motorists have been forced to pick up the tab for crumbling roads, paying out for repairs that should have been avoided.
"That’s why we’ve introduced a new national system to shine a light on how well councils are maintaining their roads, backed by a record billions in long-term funding, including £800m for the West Midlands.
"Sandwell's green rating shows what can be achieved when councils focus on early intervention, preventative maintenance and good value for money."
