BRADFORD ranks seventh in the list of UK council areas where the most roadworks have been carried out since 2021, a new study has claimed.

It has been reported that around £12 billion has been spent on roadworks across the UK in that time, and new research carried out by Bill Plant Driving School has now ranked areas to find out where the country’s roadworks hotspots are.

It obtained the information after submitting a series of Freedom of Information requests to local authorities across the UK.

The study does not account for differences in population, and instead ranks local authorities purely on the number of street and roadworks carried out in the year 2021-22.

The study found that there were 27,301 roadworks in Bradford during that timeframe, meaning the district was placed in the top 10.

Neighbours Leeds were ranked three places below Bradford, having had 24,851 street and roadworks over the same period.

Staying in the north of England, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council was ranked 5th, with 32,420 instances of roadworks.

Topping the list was Essex County Council, with 77,423 instances, which came well ahead of second-place Staffordshire County Council, which had 52,871 roadworks in 2021-22.

Cardiff was third – with 43,252 roadworks – followed by West Northamptonshire Council, which had 34,557.

At the other end of the table, Isle of Anglesey Council carried out 1,204 roadworks, which was the lowest in the UK.

The Telegraph & Argus approached Bradford Council for a comment in response to the data.

The Council criticised the study for not taking into account factors such as population differences and local demands.

It added that it tries its best to avoid causing delays in the district, although maintenance works remain vital.

“Ranking roadworks in this way is too simplistic given the differences in populations and local demands across the UK,” a Bradford Council spokesperson said.

“Local works support vital infrastructure for a population of over 500,000 people in the country’s fifth largest metropolitan district.

“We do our best to minimise disruption, however, the works are unavoidable given huge demands on our highways, gas and electricity, telecommunications, water supply and sewer networks.

“The Council is also investing in our local economy including significant improvements in the highways.

“This will bring greater prosperity, productivity and better quality of life for our residents.”

The full research can be found here: https://www.billplant.co.uk/blog/uks-roadwork-capitals/