Political opinion: Nottinghamshire’s roads are failing residents - it’s time for proper action

The scale of the problem is shocking. Half of Nottinghamshire’s roads don’t meet national anti-slip standards. Our unallocated roads are in the worst condition in the country. This didn’t happen overnight. The previous Conservative administration made decisions, like stopping surface dressing repairs in 2018, that contributed directly to this mess.

We pressed Nottinghamshire County Council to publish a clear plan to tackle the backlog of repairs, ensure “right first time” fixes that last, improve the system for reporting potholes, make compensation for vehicle damage easier to claim, and stop the practice of fixing one pothole and leaving others nearby untouched.

Residents shouldn’t have to wait months to see a single pothole repaired while others nearby are left untouched. That approach is unacceptable to people in Mansfield. Communities deserve a consistent, coordinated effort where repair teams fix all defects in an area, not just the ones that get reported first.

The council has agreed to address all the points that we raised on behalf of our constituents in the meeting. New initiatives include a £2 million emergency fund, JCB Pothole Pro trials, and ten permanent “First Time” teams to work year-round. Promising steps, but we’ll be watching closely to ensure real results.

The record funding boost that we have secured for our roads, thanks to the Labour Government, should be going much further than it is. Nottinghamshire County Council doesn’t have a shoestring budget - an increase from £18 million to £50 million is enough that people in Mansfield should see the difference in both the quality and quantity of road repairs.

For too long, Nottinghamshire residents have been forced to accept shoddy roads. That stops now. It’s time for roads that are safe, roads that last, and roads that work for the people who rely on them.

We’ve secured the funding. We’ve set the expectations. Now it’s time to deliver.