A major programme of highways and transport investment designed to fix roads, tackle long-standing issues, improve safety, provide travel choices and keep Staffordshire Moving will be discussed next week.
The £138 million Combined Highways and Transport Capital Programme brings road maintenance and improvement schemes into a single programme, supporting both the Local Transport Plan and the Staffordshire Highways Roadmap to a Better Network.
Around £72 million of this funding – just over half – is set aside for maintaining roads. The highways programme will see:
- Carriageway structural and preventative maintenance to fix roads before they deteriorate further
- Targeted work on known maintenance hotspots
- Maintaining, strengthening and renewing bridges
- Improving drainage to help roads cope better with impactful weather
- Renewed investment in road markings, signage and safety barriers
By focusing more on prevention, the council aims to reduce disruption, create longer-lasting, quality repairs and make best use of funding.
The investment includes £15 million of additional funding from the county council over the next two years to tackle the backlog of lower-level potholes.
The programme also supports better coordination of works, including schemes delivered with developers, helping to reduce disruption and ensure improvements are planned and delivered more efficiently across the county.
Councillor Peter Mason, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said:
“Our highways are Staffordshire’s most visible and valuable asset, and this programme represents a significant step forward in how we look after them.
“By prioritising preventative maintenance, strengthening structures and tackling long‑standing backlogs, we’re moving away from short‑term fixes and taking a more resilient, cost‑effective approach.
“This investment will improve the condition of our roads, reduce disruption for road users and ensure the network remains safe and reliable for years to come.”
On transport, the Local Transport Plan vision is for an integrated, efficient transport system that supports economic prosperity, enables safer, healthier communities, and helps people make the right travel choices.
To achieve this, further investments will see:
- £5.3m for improving safety and journey time reliability
- £11.6m for active travel improvements across the county, including investment in the rights of way network
- £10.6m for bus infrastructure and fleet renewal
- £40m (estimated) of developer‑funded transport infrastructure
Councillor Andrew Mynors, Cabinet Member for Connectivity, added:
“A strong, well‑connected transport network underpins a thriving county.
“This programme is about making it easier, safer and more reliable for people to get around Staffordshire every day. By investing in better bus services, improved walking and cycling routes, smarter traffic management and key transport infrastructure, we’re supporting greener journeys, stronger local economies and better connections between our communities.
“It’s a long‑term, joined‑up approach that puts everyday travel needs first and helps Staffordshire keep moving.”
Final approval of the programme will be considered by Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet on 18 March.
