Monitoring road condition
How we monitor the condition of roads
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) require all local authorities to gather data on the condition of local roads. We collect condition data on all A, B and C roads annually using a SCANNER (Surface Condition Assessment for the National Network of Roads) survey. SCANNER surveys use special vehicles with sensors to check road condition. They help us understand how good or bad a road surface is, so we can plan repairs and improvements. Roads are then placed into one of three categories:
- Green “good condition”: where no immediate work is needed, they are safe and smooth to drive on.
- Amber “needs attention soon”: these roads are showing early signs of wear and tear. They are most in need of preventative maintenance.
- Red “poor condition”: these roads are likely to have cracks, potholes, edge wear or uneven surface. They will usually require major maintenance intervention.
The SCANNER surveys provide up-to-date information on road conditions. This regular assessment allows for timely interventions and supports the council's asset management strategy.
For roads not covered by SCANNER, such as unclassified roads, the council employs other methods like Course Visual Inspections (CVI) to monitor their condition. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the entire road network's health. The information is shared with the Department for Transport which helps them to understand the state of the national road network.
From 2026/27 a new methodology will be used based on the BSI PAS2161 standard. Local Highway Authorities will be required to use a supplier that has been accredited against PAS2161. This new standard will categorise roads into five categories instead of three to help the Council and the Government gain a more detailed understanding of road condition in England. This includes:
- Category 1: No deterioration: Not considered for maintenance.
- Category 2: Minor (and/or aesthetic) deterioration: Light maintenance, such as minor patching, may be required.
- Category 3: Moderate deterioration: Localised intervention or mid-life preventative maintenance (e.g., surface dressing, patching) is needed.
- Category 4: Moderate to severe deterioration: Rehabilitative maintenance, such as full carriageway resurfacing, may be required.
- Category 5: Severe deterioration: Structural maintenance, including full carriageway resurfacing or reconstruction, is necessary.
Condition data
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
| 2020 | 4.0 | 32.9 | 63.1 |
| 2021 | 4.9 | 33.2 | 61.9 |
| 2022 | 4.8 | 32.0 | 63.3 |
| 2023 | 4.4 | 28.3 | 67.4 |
| 2024 | 5.1 | 30.4 | 64.4 |
| Year | Red | Amber | Green |
| 2020 | 4.4 | 27.8 | 67.7 |
| 2021 | 6.1 | 30.4 | 63.5 |
| 2022 | 6.1 | 31.0 | 62.9 |
| 2023 | 5.3 | 25.6 | 69.4 |
| 2024 | 6.1 | 27.7 | 66.2 |
| Year | Red |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | Not available* |
*Please note: although a CVI survey of U roads took place in 2024, the results were not considered to be accurate or reflective of the actual road condition. This was due to the contractor lacking sufficient qualified inspectors to deliver the survey during the summer months as agreed. The delay pushed survey activity into the winter months (February 2025) when conditions are widely recognised as unsuitable for visual inspections.
In order to validate the score, a resampling exercise of a short section of the previously surveyed U-roads was carried out in June 2025. The results were broadly in line with historic condition trends and clearly demonstrated that the original result was not representative of the network. However, due to the small sample size, the findings cannot be used to calculate a new average. Therefore the DFT advised us to submit a nil return for 2024.
You can find out more about condition across the country on the Government website: Road condition statistics: data tables (RDC) - GOV.UK
Reasons for decline in condition
The overall condition of roads in East Sussex has been gradually declining.
In 2024 we carried out a modelling exercise to work out how much it would cost to maintain East Sussex’s carriageway network in its current condition. The modelling looked at the whole lifecycle of our carriageways using data on the condition, typical deterioration rates, costs of treatments and inflation. The exercise found that it would cost £23m per year to keep carriageways in the same condition overall. It is important to note that this figure applies only to carriageways. It does not include the investment required to maintain other critical highway infrastructure such as footways, drainage systems, bridges, signs, or lighting columns. However, we are planning further exercises to look at these too.
Over the last seven years, East Sussex Highways has faced a fluctuating level of investment in carriageway maintenance. The funding available to spend on carriageways has been significantly less than the amount needed to achieve this. This major funding shortfall, combined with inflation and rising costs, has meant we have not been able to invest as much in preventative maintenance as needed to prevent long term decline.
The first roads to show signs of decline are usually the local unclassified roads. These were often not constructed as robustly as more major roads and without maintenance they will generally deteriorate more quickly. However, with limited funds we must prioritise our A and B roads, which are key for business, transport and emergency services. It is not a choice we take lightly, but it is widely regarded as the most effective way to manage risk and keep the county moving with the resources we have.
However, we do continue to inspect all parts of the highway for hazards and repair them promptly to ensure the highway stays safe for users.
