£121m Road Investment Planned for East Midlands Highways

Significant funding is set to be directed towards improving roads across the East Midlands, with millions of pounds earmarked for maintenance and repair works throughout the region.

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is preparing to propose an investment of £121 million in highway maintenance for the 2026/27 financial year. This funding would support road improvements across the region’s four highway authorities and is due to be considered by the authority’s Transport Committee later this week.

Committee members will also review an alternative option, which would see a total of £79.4 million invested in road maintenance for the same period. Both proposals are subject to approval at the Transport Committee, with final agreement expected in March. Once confirmed, the local highway authorities will begin planning and delivering the improvements as efficiently as possible, with ongoing monitoring to ensure value for money and tangible benefits for communities across the region.

The proposed investment aims to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and address years of deterioration caused by underinvestment. Works under the programme would include resurfacing, pothole repairs, and preventative maintenance designed to stop further damage before it develops. Some projects will also combine road repairs with upgrades to pavements, drainage systems, and public spaces, providing longer-lasting improvements for local communities.

In addition to road maintenance, the upcoming Transport Committee meeting will discuss how EMCCA will deliver its already announced £184 million transport investment programme. This programme is already underway and is bringing safer roads, improved bus services, new cycle routes, and enhanced travel connections throughout the region.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said the proposed investment represents a major step forward for the region. “By focusing on road maintenance, safer streets, and better transport connections, we are delivering tangible benefits for our communities now, while laying the foundation for long-term improvements across the next seven years,” she said.

Councillor Carmel Swan, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, welcomed the proposal, describing it as excellent news for both the city and the wider region. She highlighted the impact of previous EMCCA-funded transport schemes in Derby and noted that additional investment would help continue progress on improving local infrastructure.

Alongside the main highways programme, more than £13.5 million is proposed for neighbourhood-level transport projects. These smaller schemes aim to improve safety, accessibility, and local travel in towns and villages across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, delivering direct benefits to residents’ everyday journeys.