Why this matters
Every local authority in England must submit a transparency report to the Department for Transport (DfT) this autumn.
By 31 October 2025, councils must complete and submit Annex B: a formal record of how highway maintenance services are delivered, valued, and measured. It’s a core requirement for unlocking the full incentive portion of your highways maintenance funding for 2025–26.
But submitting Annex B doesn’t need to be complex or time-consuming.
Whether you’re already using Causeway solutions or just looking for support, we can help you complete your return faster, more confidently - and with far less manual effort.
What is Annex B?
Annex B is part of the DfT’s Local Highway Maintenance Transparency Report. It focuses on:
- The condition of your highway network
- How your maintenance budgets are structured
- How your performance is measured and shared
- How you use asset data to inform planning
- The policies you have in place to manage your roads long-term
Your response must be signed off by your Section 151 Officer and Cabinet Member and submitted by 31 October 2025.
📄 See the Annex B Questions on gov.uk
📄 Read the DfT Guidance Letter
Why it’s a challenge
Many councils are managing this manually - collecting data across spreadsheets, coordinating between teams, and rushing to meet deadlines.
The result? A return that’s harder to build, harder to quality-check, and more difficult to defend.
We believe there’s a better way.
How Causeway helps
We help local authorities take the stress out of Annex B - using the tools and data you already have to create a submission that’s clear, complete, and compliant.
Here’s how:
- Horizons: Our strategic asset management platform holds the network and condition data needed to answer key questions
- Power BI Dashboards: Present your response in a visual, professional format - ready to share
- Specialist Consultancy: Our experts can guide, validate, and support the areas that need extra context or narrative
This is about making the most of what you already know and presenting it in a way that makes sense to you, your senior leaders, and the DfT.
Where we can help
We’ve reviewed every question in Annex B - and we know where authorities typically need support.
Our consultancy and technology teams can help you:
- Report on network length, road condition, and asset valuations (GRC/DRC).
- Provide or help shape key policy documents like your Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP).
- Support the development or review of your performance management framework, including service levels and KPIs.
- Extend support across wider highway assets, including lighting, structures, and green infrastructure.
- Assist with Single Data List (SDL) submissions - including Works Done, SCRIM and RCI where needed.
- Our asset valuation and reporting approaches align with national best practice, including CIPFA and HAMFIG.
We’re already helping several local authorities prepare and structure their Annex B submissions for 2025.
The value for you
- Submit on time, with a return that’s ready for approval
- Cut down the admin burden on already-stretched teams
- Show the impact of your work, backed by real data
- Strengthen your case for future investment
This isn’t just about compliance - it’s about confidence.
Let’s get started
We’re already helping local authorities across the country prepare their submissions.
Submit your details here and we’ll connect you to the right person
Or simply reach out to your Causeway account manager or consultantWe’ll help you meet the deadline with a clear, compliant return.
