Record-breaking drive to fix Nottinghamshire’s roads hits landmark figure
Nottinghamshire’s record-breaking drive to improve its roads has reached a major milestone, with the 250th carriageway surfacing scheme delivered as part of a £181.25m investment programme.
The landmark has been reached at Haywood Oaks Lane in Blidworth, with more than 450 surfacing schemes planned for 2026/27.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s unprecedented investment is already translating into visible improvements for communities across the county, with more surfacing schemes delivered in the first half of this programme year than during the whole of last year.
Working alongside highways partner Via East Midlands, the county council is taking a more proactive approach to road maintenance – matching the right treatment to the right road to make funding go further and deliver lasting improvements.
At Haywood Oaks Lane, in-situ recycling, also known as Cold Recycling, is being used to strengthen the road after it had deteriorated beyond the point where preventative maintenance alone would be sufficient.
The technique breaks down and reuses existing carriageway material, mixing it with a binding material to create a strengthened foundation. This is then graded and compacted before a new surface is laid.
By reusing material already in the road, the process reduces the need for new aggregates and asphalt, cuts waste, carbon emissions and lorry movements, and supports the efficient delivery of a durable repair with less disruption than conventional reconstruction.
The programme supports the council’s six-point plan, published earlier this year, to tackle deteriorating highways and deliver better, longer-lasting repairs.
This includes preventing problems before they develop, prioritising permanent repairs wherever possible, using high-quality materials and methods, improving efficiency, strengthening winter resilience and pressing for increased long-term funding.
Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “This is the 250th surfacing scheme we have delivered this year. It shows how our record investment is translating into real improvements on the ground.
“In the first half of this programme year, we delivered more highway improvement schemes than during the whole of last year. There is more to do, but this is significant progress.
“We need every pound to work as hard as possible. That means choosing the right treatment for the right road and using proven techniques that deliver lasting value.
“At Blidworth, much of the existing road is being recycled in place to form a strong new foundation, reducing waste, the need for new materials and vehicle movements.
“We know how frustrating poor road conditions can be for residents, and we are determined to make a real difference.
“There is still a huge amount of work involved in bringing our roads up to the standard residents rightly expect, but we are making significant progress and will continue investing in improvements that benefit communities throughout Nottinghamshire.”
The resurfacing programme sits alongside pothole repairs, surface dressing, micro asphalt treatments and preventative maintenance to extend the life of road surfaces.
In addition to this, the Council is also investing in footways, drainage, bridges, street lighting and traffic signals to help keep the wider highway network in good condition.
Residents are encouraged to check the latest roadworks information before travelling, as planned work may change due to weather and operational requirements.
