Nottinghamshire County Council has launched what it calls the largest highways repair programme in the county's history, deploying eight new pothole repair crews across the region this week.
£122.5 Million Investment
The programme, announced on 8 April, represents a £122.5 million investment in the county's roads for 2026/27. It includes £50 million for capital maintenance, £32 million for routine repairs including pothole filling, and £29 million for flood prevention, active travel and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Council leader Cllr Mick Barton said the county's roads had been "falling apart" and pledged that crews would operate 12 months of the year for the first time.
"The days of quick fixes will be coming to an end because we will be repairing roads with stronger methods and materials wherever we can," Barton said at the launch event at VIA East Midlands' depot in Bilsthorpe.
Crews Arrive in Worksop
Repair teams were spotted working in the Worksop area today as the countywide deployment continues. The programme includes two new JCB Pothole Pro machines designed to deliver permanent repairs rather than temporary patches.
Cllr Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, described the investment as "the biggest ever in Nottinghamshire and one of the largest to be delivered by a local authority."
Scale of the Problem
Council surveys from September 2025 found that 38 per cent of Nottinghamshire's roads are in poor condition. Between April and October 2025 alone, 8,860 potholes and road defects were reported. The total repair backlog stands at an estimated £391 million.
Highways Director David Langford said it would take between three and five years to "get back on top" of the county's road network.
Bassetlaw Residents Speak Out
The announcement comes amid growing frustration from Bassetlaw residents. A Change.org petition titled "Fix Bassetlaw's Dangerous Potholes Now" has gathered 759 signatures, with residents reporting tyre blowouts and vehicle damage from deep potholes.
Bassetlaw MP Jo White has also raised the issue, documenting over 50 potholes across the district and describing Sheffield Road in Blyth as in a "terrible state."
The council's six-point plan includes preventing problems early, making permanent repairs first time, and lobbying central government for increased long-term funding.