Chesterfield to benefit from £121m regional road maintenance plan
Chesterfield is set to benefit from part of a £121m investment proposed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) for road maintenance and repairs across the region. The funding will cover the region’s four highway authorities in the 2026/27 financial year.
The funding, to be considered by the authority’s transport committee this week, aims to make roads safer, reduce congestion and tackle years of wear and tear caused by previous underinvestment in the region.
The proposed investment would be used for a range of work, from repairing worn surfaces and potholes, to maintenance preventing damage before it happens. Some projects will combine road repairs with improvements to pavements, drainage, and public spaces, delivering better results for local communities.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This proposed investment shows our commitment to keeping roads safe and reliable for everyone in the East Midlands. By acting now, we can tackle years of wear and tear, support local communities, and make journeys smoother for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. This decisive action shows we are ready to deliver in 2026.”
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability at Derby City Council, said: “This proposed additional investment is excellent news for our region.”
Additionally, more than £13.5m is proposed for local neighbourhood projects. These smaller-scale schemes improve road safety, access, and local travel, directly benefiting people’s daily lives in towns and villages across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Members of the authority’s Transport and Digital Committee will also consider an alternative option this week. This would invest a total of £79.4m in road maintenance for the 2026/27 financial year.
The proposed investment would be used for a range of work, from repairing worn surfaces and potholes to improving footways and cycleways, as well as repairing and upgrading lighting and protecting important structures. It would also increase proactive maintenance to stop damage before it happens. Some projects will combine repairs with improvements to drainage and other public space improvements, delivering better results for local communities.
Additionally, more than £13.5m is proposed for local neighbourhood projects. These smaller-scale schemes improve road safety, access, and local travel, directly benefiting people’s daily lives in towns and villages across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
The proposed funding is subject to agreement at the Transport Committee meeting, before going before the EMCCA board for final approval in March.
The upcoming Transport Committee will also discuss the progress of the existing £184m transport investment programme. It has already brought safer roads, better bus services, new cycle routes, and improved travel connections across the region.
Mayor Claire said: “This investment is a significant step forward for our region. By focusing on road maintenance, safer streets, and better transport connections, we are delivering tangible benefits for our communities now, while laying the foundation for long-term improvements across the next seven years.”
Key projects which are underway:
- Chesterfield Staveley Regeneration Route (Derbyshire): £2.5m invested in development of the scheme, supporting new housing and regeneration;
- Merrill Way/A514/Boulton Lane Junction (Derby): Work has begun on £3m junction improvements;
- A614/A6097 Major Road Network (Nottinghamshire): More than £7m contribution to tackle congestion and support new housing, with construction planned for summer 2026.
The programme is on track to spend £151m this year, a significant increase compared with 2024/25, showing that EMCCA and the constituent authorities are making real progress on projects that matter to communities and delivering on a larger scale than previously.
This year’s programme is the first of a seven-year investment plan, giving the region certainty to deliver bigger and longer-lasting improvements.
