Essex County Council’s road maintenance and repair efforts have been awarded a ‘green’ rating by the Government, reflecting the county’s extensive work on more than 5,000 miles of roads.
Since 2024, the council has invested an additional £49 million on top of its highways maintenance budget. It has also secured further funding from the Department for Transport, ensuring £168 million will be available for road repairs up to 2029/30.
The council has delivered its repair programme through several initiatives. The Priority One programme focuses on proactive maintenance, including resurfacing, vegetation clearance and replacing broken signs. The Members’ Highway Initiative enables County Councillors to address issues raised by local residents.
Winter maintenance is also underway, with crews operating gritters and carrying out weather-related repairs to keep roads safe during colder months. Larger-scale resurfacing and repair works are planned to resume in spring.
Councillor Mark Platt, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said:
“We’re delighted to see that Essex has achieved a top-level green rating, demonstrating that we are investing in proactive and preventative maintenance to ensure our roads are fixed across our great county.
“Our investment into maintaining our network through regular maintenance, our £25m Priority One campaign, and the Members’ Highway Initiative demonstrates our commitment to keeping road users and pedestrians alike safe.
“I am proud of the hard work our Highways crews have shown in tackling the issues that residents see and care about the most, helping us build a safer, greener and healthier Essex.”
The green rating highlights the council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the county’s highways and supporting road safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
