A roads
| Year | Percentage of road in RED category | Percentage of road in AMBER category | Percentage of road in GREEN category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2% | 27% | 71% |
| 2024 | 2% | 27% | 71% |
| 2025 | 3% | 27% | 70% |
B and C roads
| Year | Percentage of road in RED category | Percentage of road in AMBER category | Percentage of road in GREEN category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12% | 40% | 48% |
| 2024 | 10% | 36% | 54% |
| 2025 | 11% | 36% | 53% |
U roads
| Year | Percentage of road in RED category |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16% |
| 2024 | 23% |
| 2025 | 24% |
Councils use road condition surveys to assess the state of their roads. The results are grouped into three categories:
- Green – the road is in good condition and no further investigation or treatment is required
- Amber – the road may need maintenance soon
- Red – the road is in poor condition and should be considered for maintenance
The published official statistics for road condition include more detail about the methodology, timing and coverage of this data.
Additional information on carriageway condition
Devon County Council’s carriageway condition figures are derived primarily from machine-based SCANNER surveys, which use laser and imaging technology to assess defects such as cracking, rutting and surface texture. The Council extends survey coverage beyond statutory requirements to include unclassified roads on a rolling cycle, providing a more comprehensive understanding of network condition across all road classes. SCANNER data provides a consistent and repeatable basis for trend analysis but is supplemented by inspections, safety defect data, customer reports and local engineering knowledge.
Condition trends indicate that the classified network has remained relatively stable through sustained investment and targeted maintenance. However, parts of the unclassified network continue to experience increasing deterioration, reflecting the cumulative impact of historic funding pressures, repeated severe weather events, rural network characteristics and increasing maintenance demands. As unclassified roads represent over half of Devon’s highway network, they remain a key priority for future investment and asset management planning.