2026 resurfacing works begin across Essex

Warmer and drier weather means large scale improvements can be made to Essex’s roads.

Essex County Council has launched its 2026/27 resurfacing programme. This will see large scale improvements to many roads across the county.

Resurfacing fixes the damage caused by bad weather. It also gives roads a longer life than if we make individual pothole repairs.

Upcoming resurfacing works include the below.

• Ashingdon Road, Rochford.
• A13 from Pitsea to Five Bells, Vange.
• A132 Burnham Road, Rettendon.

During 2025/26 325 large-scale resurfacing works took place as a part of the annual surfacing programme.

This included Brentwood High Street. This involved replacing old granite stones with a smooth asphalt surface. It also included the A1017 Rowley Hill, Sturmer which was completed recently.

There are five resurfacing methods used when resurfacing roads across the county.

• Surface dressing is used where the surface is in reasonably good condition but needs sealing to stop water damage. A large area can be covered very quickly and once completed it can last up to ten years.
• Micro surfacing s a more durable process which places a thin layer of completely new surfacing on top of the existing road.
• Machine resurfacing involves removing the existing surface before a completely new surface is laid.
• Recycling is used in limited areas where the condition of the road has only slightly deteriorated, and a durable new surface can be re-laid by reusing existing materials.
• Joint and crack sealing is necessary to stop water damage to the underlying surface.

The road surface type and the usage of the road will determine which method is used.

Essex Highways also uses a 'Roadmender' machine to resurface roads. This uses recycled materials such as lorry tyres to treat large areas with shallow defects. The material produces virtually no waste and significantly reduces CO2 compared to other methods.

Where possible, resurfacing schemes are scheduled to take place over school holidays to minimise disruption.

Director of Highways and Transportation Jon Shortland said:

“Our road network plays a vital role in keeping Essex moving. This year’s resurfacing programme is about making sure people can travel safely and reliably across the county.

“We appreciate residents and road users’ patience while we carry out resurfacing works. We will endeavour to deliver them as quickly as possible to minimise the impact upon anyone affected.”

Information about road closures is always made available in advance via contact with local residents, updates on the Essex Highways website and on social media.