Around 20% of unclassified roads in Gateshead in need of repair
A fifth of ‘unclassified’ Gateshead roads need “immediate repair”, council documents reveal.
A Gateshead Council ‘Highway Asset Management Plan’ report states that 21% or 143km of its unclassified roads – such as back lanes – are in need of repair.
According to the local authority, unclassified roads are council-maintained roads intended for traffic that don’t have A, B, or C status. A total 60% of the UK’s roads fall into this category, making up many estate roads and rural lanes.
In Gateshead, the unclassified network makes up 75% of the total highway network of 900km.
The report states that although the council has thrown “considerable resources” into tackling the state of unclassified roads over the past three years, the percentage requiring immediate repair has remained between 20-21%. The constant figure indicates “the extent of the problem” on these roads.
A Gateshead Council spokesperson said: “Our annual road condition survey indicates that the vast majority of our A, B and C classification roads are in very good condition, with only one to two per cent in need of repair.
“Our Highway Asset Management Plan 2018–2030 therefore prioritises the maintenance of our unclassified roads, with about 20% in need of repair. In 2022/2023 over 60% of all planned maintenance work was carried out on our unclassified network with a spend of over £2m. The council is committed to making sure our road network is well maintained and safe for all users.”
Gateshead Council has allocated additional funds for road maintenance, along with further cash from the central Government. However, there has been a 50% reduction in Government maintenance budgets since 2010.
Figures from the report state the local authority paid out £3,385.95 in vehicle compensation claims last year from 47 claims with the council successfully defending 90% of these claims. This is “considerably less” than neighbouring authorities, according to council documents.
From 2015 to 2023, Northumberland County Council paid out more than £2m in compensation to motorists for damages sustained as a result of the roads.