Millions of pounds are set to be invested in road improvements across the East Midlands.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is set to propose a £121 million investment in road maintenance and repairs across the region for the four highway authorities over the 2026/27 financial year.
The funding – to go before the next meeting of the authority’s transport committee for approval 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 which stops damage before it happens. Some projects will combine road repairs with improvements to pavements, drainage, and public spaces, delivering better results for local communities.
Road improvements
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 and our city. We’ve already benefited from EMCCA funding for transport projects around the city and look forward to further investment so we can continue to deliver a Derby to be proud of.”
In addition to this, 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.
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Committee members will also consider an alternative option to the £121m next week, which would invest a total of £79.4m in road maintenance for the 2026/27 financial year.
The proposed funding is subject to approval at the Transport Committee and final agreement in March. Once approved, the local highway authorities will begin planning and delivering the improvements as efficiently as possible, with monitoring to show value for money and ensure the funding benefits communities across the region.
The upcoming Transport Committee meeting will also discuss how EMCCA will deliver its already announced £184m transport investment programme, which has begun to bring 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.”
EMCCA so far:
• Bus and active travel upgrades in Derby: Victorian railings refurbished while improving bus priority and active travel routes;
• Digital bus totems: Real-time travel information installed in Derby city centre and Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, to make journeys easier;
• Cycle and pedestrian improvements in Nottingham: New cycle routes and pedestrian links delivered ahead of schedule;
• Road maintenance in Nottinghamshire: 140 schemes completed to improve safety and smooth journeys.
Under way:
Merrill Way/A514/Boulton Lane Junction, Derby: £3m junction improvements, with construction now begun;
Chesterfield–Staveley Regeneration Route, Derbyshire: £2.5m invested to support new housing and regeneration;
A614/A6097 Major Road Network, Nottinghamshire: £7.5m contribution to tackle congestion and support new housing, with construction planned for summer 2026.
Mayor Claire Ward visited the A514 junction to see the start of work as part of a package of road improvements. The road improvements programme is on track to spend £151m this year, a £55m increase compared with 2024/25, showing EMCCA and the constituent authorities of Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire County councils are making real progress on projects that matter to communities.
This year’s programme is the first of a seven-year investment plan, giving the region certainty to deliver bigger and longer-lasting improvements.
