County Council pledge £40m investment to fix Derbyshire's roads, potholes and pavements over next 18 months

The Government has awarded the local authority an extra £17 million to spend on improvements and road maintenance across Derbyshire, £5 million of this investment will be spent retaining wall and drainage works on the A6 between Matlock and Whatsandwell.

Derbyshire County Council, who usually commit £23 million on fixing road related issues, will use a proportion of the new funding on ‘vital’ maintenance work on bridges, retaining walls and replacing 21 sets of traffic lights over the next 18 months.

The council will also invest £1 million of the government grant on accident prevention by enforcing road safety schemes, which will see skid resistant surfaces put down and changes to road junctions.

Roads which are currently closed because of landslips such as Lea Road near Cromford and Abney Clough, will also be repaired and specialist contractors start work this month to reopen the roads by the end of the year.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Simon Spencer said: "This investment in our road network will make a significant difference to everyone who lives, works or travels through Derbyshire.

"I’m delighted that the government has recognised the need for additional funding and also that we’ve been successful in bidding for extra money for specific schemes.

"It all adds up to a huge investment in our roads."

The council are recruiting civil engineers, with skills in design, scheme delivery and maintenance to help deliver the work.

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