Essex Council has allocated more funding help repair and maintain roads across the county.

Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, announced the budget for 2023/24 for highway and footway repair and maintenance would receive increased investment of £9 million. The plans include:

• £4m for schemes such as the Member-led pothole scheme, and a new scheme for footpaths.

• Additional investment for general highways maintenance and service.

• Refining the roles and responsibilities of Local Highway Panels to improve efficiency and influence.

Cllr Scott also confirmed that proposed changes to the part night lighting by two hours a day will now not be going ahead. It had been proposed that a reduction in the length of time streetlights are on could save money.

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Last year's very hot summer and the rain and cold snaps this winter have caused significant damage on the roads and footways. Essex County Council's commitment to providing further additional funding will ensure that Essex Highways is able to carry out more of the repair and maintenance work needed across the county.

Cllr Scott said: "We have had to make some difficult decisions in this years' council budget, and this reflects the challenges we’re all facing on our finances at the moment. I am pleased, however, that Essex County Council is able to go further and provide increased investment for maintenance and repairs of the county’s roads and footpaths over the course of the next year.

"At the heart of delivering this investment is the work that will continue with Members across the council to address the defects in their local areas and deliver roads and footpaths for their local residents that are safe."

The announcements were made at Full Council, where our 2023/24 budget proposals were being discussed. In addition to maintaining and repairing roads, the proposals also include boosting social care for adults and children, protecting the environment, and promoting climate change and economic growth to support levelling up.