Priority One £25 million boost to help change the face of Essex’s road network
Extra funding announced to radically improve the face of highways across the county.
Essex’s road network is in line for a £25 million boost which will power resurfacing on key roads, as well as ensure roadside vegetation is kept in check and signs and lines are repaired and repainted.
The new programme has been dubbed ‘Priority One’ by highways chiefs, reflecting how important highways are to residents and businesses.
The funding comes as a result of the council’s strong financial management, creating a mid-year funding boost.
Priority One will see more repairs being carried out on the roads to substantially improve the condition of the network.
The focus will be on larger road resurfacing rather than individual potholes, which will continue to be repaired through existing funding.
The extra money will also be invested in more drain cleaning, repainting white lines, cutting back vegetation and repairing signs.
Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “This investment is a game changer and comes at a time of year when we can make a real impact on the network, before the winter weather and shorter days set in.
“The Priority One programme is well named because roads are our residents’ top priority. An extra £25 million being announced today will give us the power to deliver even more improvements for our residents. Put simply, it will mean more crews on the roads, more roads being resurfaced and better signs and lines.
“We have one of the largest road networks in the country and it powers our economy. I live for the day when the government gives back to Essex the vehicle tax our residents pay so we can invest it directly in our roads, but in the meantime, we are doing our bit on the network.”
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “It’s my priority to make sure my fellow Essex residents feel proud of where they live, because Essex residents deserve no less.
“The condition of the roads is central to instilling that pride because most of us use the road network in some way or another every day. To see it deteriorate impacts how we feel about our home. We all want a high-quality environment and we are determined to deliver one.
“Priority One is our route to making a positive difference to the road network across the county – not just the tarmac, but road signs, verges and white lines.”
The latest funding comes after £12 million of extra investment was announced earlier this year for highways. £8 million of this supports the Members’ Highways Initiative, where County Council Members prioritise the issues they want Essex Highways crews to repair.
£39 million was also set aside this year for the annual resurfacing programme.