The new government traffic light map shows Cornwall has 'room for improvement' on potholes, with only Gloucestershire and Wiltshire rated 'green' in the South West
06:00, 15 Jan 2026
Cornwall Live readers are happy to hear that the Government has pressed Cornwall Council to do more on potholes and launched an interactive traffic light map showing how all 154 English local highway authorities are performing. Councils are rated red, amber, or green based on pothole repairs and long-term road maintenance.
This is part of a £1.5 billion scheme to help South West councils fix roads. Between 2021 and 2023, Cornwall Council spent over £9 million on potholes, placing it among the worst in the country, reports Cornwall Live. In the South West, only Gloucestershire and Wiltshire earned a green rating; Cornwall and most others are amber.
The Department for Transport says green councils use funds efficiently, invest in preventative measures, and maintain good road conditions. Amber councils show some progress but need improvement, while red councils fall short in areas like road condition, prevention plans, or investment.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said drivers in the South West have long suffered from poor roads and unnecessary repair costs. The government has increased funding and made council performance transparent to ensure money is spent effectively, improving safety and saving drivers money.
Cornwall Council’s transport portfolio holder Dan Rogerson confirmed funding will rise over the next three years. The council received about £32 million this year, with £12 million more conditional on delivery. By mid-November 2025, 28,828 potholes had been repaired, compared with 37,381 in all of 2024.
Commenter Steve Spring says: “Makes me laugh. Cars have to have an MOT to be roadworthy, however are the roads worthy for cars?”
Jez Manison complains: “They’ve obviously not been through my village then, the craters here can be seen from the moon!”
Marcus Reeves-Smith agrees: “It is about time Devon and Cornwall saw some of that government funding. Roads here are riddled with dangerous potholes, yet councils and ministers appear uninterested. When drivers damage their cars and try to claim, the blame is simply pushed back onto their driving instead.”
KentuckyRain is not convinced: “Well I am sure we are pleased to know how well Cornwall council is doing in our 'Green' area. Clearly the poor road surfaces that have been breaking up for years and the potholes that are so deep and long lasting that they have a post code are a complete figment of our imaginations.”
Commonsense01 writes: “Consider this. If more than £16 million had not been poured this year into what many call the failed airport, failed spaceport and failed PSO airline, projects Cornwall Council arguably had no business running, every pothole could have been fixed. Instead, taxpayers have funded pipe dreams while their cars pay the price in broken wheels and wrecked suspension.”
Triggerandhisdoggo asks: “Do they still do resurfacing, or do they just splotch the potholes with their splotching machine? Sadly the splotched repairs only seem to last a year or so.”
Williammiles agrees: “For several years the potholes in Carlyon Bay have been filled but not sealed. On the sign of the first frost they begin to deteriorate and within approximately 2 months they are holes again. Admittedly they are filled again within the financial year only to be subject to further deterioration because again not sealed. Poor value for taxpayers money. Needs investigating as to why this has continued to happen.”
Stopscrounging adds: “The entire stretch from Fraddon to Probus is in a shocking state. There are so many potholes we’ve lost count, over 38 just yesterday. The road edges have worn away into deep gulleys, the painted markings are barely visible, and the junction with the A390 floods at least twice a week. This has gone on for more than 18 months. We report new potholes, floods, and eroded edges to Cormac every week, yet all they do is slap on temporary patches that wear out within days. Our cars’ suspensions are wrecked.”
With all the money spent and countless potholes patched do you think Cornwall Council deserves credit for finally taking road repairs seriously, or is it still too little, too late? Have your say in our comments section.
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