Bexley's roads have been ranked seventh nationally for their condition, according to a recent report presented to the Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Highways Report, discussed at the meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, detailed the borough's road network and maintenance efforts. Andrew Bashford, Head of Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure, clarified that Bexley's approach to resurfacing involves replacing a deeper layer of the road surface (80-100mm) compared to the Department for Transport's (DfT) definition. This more extensive method, described as a belt and braces option,
aims for longer-lasting repairs and contributed to Bexley being ranked joint seventh nationally in the DfT's road condition rankings.
The DfT ranks road conditions nationally based on data submitted by local authorities. The DfT categorizes resurfacing as any work to replace the top 2 inches (50mm) of the road surface. Works replacing more than 50mm are classified as strengthening or road reconstruction. Bexley's method involves replacing the top 80-100mm of the road surface, which is considered 'strengthening' by the DfT. This approach, while more costly upfront than replacing only the top layer, is expected to provide a longer-lasting repair and reduce the need for future interventions. This method contributed to Bexley being ranked joint 7th nationally in the DfT's road condition rankings, as their approach was not categorized as 'resurfacing' by the DfT's definition, leading to a misrepresentation in previous reports. The incorrect reporting in the previous year stated that Bexley had not resurfaced any roads, based on data from the DfT which did not count Bexley's 'strengthening' work as 'resurfacing'.
The report highlighted that Bexley's strong performance in the DfT's road condition rankings is a testament to this approach.
The committee also received a comprehensive overview of the borough's highways, including the extent of the road network, funding levels, and the council's approach to maintenance. Discussions covered the street works permitting system, inspections, and the potential adoption of a lane rental scheme, which Bexley is currently not pursuing.
While Bexley is not currently pursuing a lane rental scheme, the potential benefits of adopting one include encouraging utility firms to avoid working on busy roads during peak times, thereby allowing traffic to move more freely. The income generated can be used for road-related equipment and works. However, a drawback of imposing lane rental could be that it taxes the investment that you want to see when you do a mains replacement or gas pipe replacement etc.
Approximately 15% of an authority's network can be registered under such a scheme, meaning it would only cover Bexley's A-roads. Around four boroughs have adopted the scheme, with about 50% of the remaining councils considering or working towards it. Newer authorities have sometimes managed to increase the percentage of their network covered to 15-20%.
The 2026/27 resurfacing and large patching programme was also detailed, with planned works outlined in appendices to the report. Each year, the council resurfaces around 25-30 roads and completes around 60 large patching schemes. The council repairs approximately 2,500 to 2,600 potholes annually. The total projected funding for highways maintenance in 2026/27 is £9.127 million, comprising £2.491m from the DfT, £4.685m from Bexley Capital funding, and £2.051m from Bexley Revenue funding. Comparisons to other boroughs of similar size or population were not provided.
Councillor David Diamond, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, emphasised the council's prudent financial management, which allows for significant investment in services, including roads.
See the full Highways Report for more details.
