Essex Highways has been given an extra £12m to deal with road repairs and other issues in the county.

The funding boost was approved by Essex County Council at its recent full council meeting as part of the 2024/25 budget and is in addition to the annual budget for highways work.

The council says the money will fund:

• £8 million for additional crews in each borough, city and district to prioritise repairs raised by local councillors.
• £2 million for Local Highways Panels to deliver large schemes, freeing up existing budgets for small schemes.
• £350,000 to fund three months of defect repairs over the summer. This will expedite repairs in rural areas affected by flooding and winter damage.
• £300,000 to enable winter-safe crews to deliver more maintenance and repairs over the next winter.
• £100,000 to increase enforcement capabilities and hold landowners accountable for maintaining foliage.
• £100,000 for additional highway resurfacing works across Essex.
• £49,500 for additional communications resources, ensuring residents and members are better informed.

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “The £12 million is a significant boost to helps us look after and improve one of the largest road networks in the country. This includes getting more crews in each borough, city and district to prioritise repairs raised by local councillors.”