Staffordshire County Council is making good on its investment in highways across the county, after completing eight major resurfacing schemes this year.

After announcing an investment of £30 million into maintaining and improving the county’s highways over the next two years earlier this year, crews have been hard at work making that investment a reality for local residents.

Resurfacing schemes completed so far this financial year include:

• A5192 Eastern Avenue, Lichfield (£800,000)
• A53 Broad Street, Leek (£300,000)
• A34 Stone Road, Stafford (£1.4 million)
• A5121 Claymills Interchange, Burton (£500,000)
• A5195 Burntwood Way roundabout, Lichfield (£350,000)
• Tutbury Roundabout, Burton (£120,000)
• A522 Uttoxeter Road, Uttoxeter (£300,000)
• A34 Liverpool Road, Newcastle (£200,000)

More improvements are planned next year, including the A449 and A34 in Stafford, Derby Road in Burton, and the A34 Talke Road in Bradwell.

And, the county council will carry out at least an extra £50 million worth of repairs and essential maintenance on the 6,000 kilometres of roads in the county over the next three years, on top of any grant given by the government. This includes more road resurfacing schemes and getting potholes repaired more quickly.

Staffordshire will also receive more than £186 million of the £8.3 billion government investment into England’s roads over the next 11 years. This funding became available following the cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham. 

More than 16,000 pothole repair jobs have been completed this year so far. 

A ‘job’ is, on average, two or three potholes at a time – meaning the number of potholes filled across the county is likely to be double or even triple that figure.  

In 2022, Staffordshire Highways filled 16,039 carriageway potholes, significantly exceeding the national Local Authority average of 11,229. With 16,308 already completed so far, this year has already seen crews surpass their 2022 total. 

2023 has also seen the county council invest in groundbreaking AI technology that identifies and categories potholes as well as innovative machinery, like the JCB Pothole Pro, to repair defects.  

Two million pounds from the pothole fund has enabled county councillors to prioritise non-urgent nuisance potholes reported locally. 

Residents can report potholes on the county council’s website, using the ‘Report It’ function. Repairs are then prioritised depending on the severity and dangerousness of the defect. 

While most people will be opening presents and tucking into their Christmas turkey, Staffordshire County Council’s fleet of 37 gritters and associated crews will still be ready to spring into action if temperatures plummet.

Crews across the county will be on standby throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day, and will be ready to roll if the temperature drops below freezing.

On routine winter days and nights, crews focus on the major routes, extending to the wider network in prolonged ice and snow conditions.

The county’s hill contractors in the Moorlands will also be on standby to grit the higher ground if needed.

And with more than 20,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled, highways crews are well-equipped to battle any adverse weather conditions coming Staffordshire’s way.

As well as being on standby for gritting, crews will also be on call for any bad weather such as strong winds or heavy rain.

Picture Caption: Members of the Leek gritting crew get into the festive spirit