Newport unveils expanded road resurfacing programme to tackle deteriorating streets

Newport City Council has announced a major expansion of its road repair and resurfacing programme as part of a renewed effort to address deteriorating road conditions across the city.

The latest phase of the council’s Fixing Our Roads initiative will see additional highways improvement schemes delivered over the next two years following increased investment commitments in the authority’s 2026/27 budget.

More than 30 major routes across Newport have already undergone resurfacing or repair works under the programme, including sections of Chepstow Road, Cardiff Road, Malpas Road and the A467 Risca bypass.

Council officials said the new investment reflects growing public concern over road conditions, potholes and long-term maintenance pressures affecting the city’s highway network.

Cabinet member for infrastructure and assets Councillor Rhian Howells said the council had prioritised road maintenance after residents repeatedly identified the condition of local roads as a major issue.

“When setting our latest budget, we were very clear that we were going to act on the issues that were concerning our residents the most,” she said.

“We know we need to go further with our resurfacing work. We are residents too. We use the same roads and experience the same frustrations.”

Most of the roads included within the latest programme will receive full resurfacing treatment, while others will undergo preventative surface treatments intended to extend the lifespan of existing carriageways before more severe deterioration develops.

The council said schemes are selected using condition surveys and asset management criteria designed to target roads where investment can deliver the greatest long-term benefit.

Alongside resurfacing projects, routine maintenance activities including pothole repairs and localised patching works will continue across the city. Newport has also brought in external contractors to help increase repair capacity amid rising demand.

Council officials acknowledged that not every road requiring attention could be included immediately due to funding limitations, emergency repair requirements and weather-related disruptions affecting delivery schedules.

Rather than publishing fixed construction timetables far in advance, the authority said it intends to retain flexibility to coordinate resurfacing works alongside utility projects and respond to changing operational demands.

Residents affected by future schemes will receive advance notice before works begin in their areas.

The council added that all reported potholes and defects continue to be inspected, although repairs are prioritised based on safety intervention thresholds set out within Newport’s highways asset management plan.