‘Priority One’ success as targeted programme sees over 400,000 square metres of road resurfacing

Extra highways crews deployed to resurface roads most in need of repair

Priority One, the £25 million investment made by Essex County Council into targeted highway maintenance has finished this month. 128 additional roads were resurfaced – a total of 400,000 square metres.

The 8-month programme was the largest ever additional highways investment made by the council. The funds were used to deliver additional schemes across all 12 Essex districts in the areas. It was also used to tackle vegetation clearance, drainage repair, signage improvements and new lining.

Additional investment in road maintenance will continue in 2025/26, on top of the usual highways repair programme carried out over the course of the year.

Councillor Mark Platt, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council and lead for the Priority One programme said, “I am delighted with the positive impact we have made through the Priority One programme.

“We have not only delivered over 120 road resurfacing schemes across all areas of our county, but targeted the areas we were told were most frustrating for residents.

“We know how our local communities look and feel is important - the state of the highway matters to people.

“Through the additional funding provided we have been able to get more crews out on the road, and while the winter weather has provided a challenge, the work completed will make a real difference.

“Although our Priority One programme has now come to an end, we are continuing to work hard to maintain and improve our highways network through our 2025/2026 maintenance programme.”

For more information on the Priority One programme visit www.essexhighways.org/priority-one