£72m highways investment to focus on the roads residents use every day

The proposed programme will be considered by cabinet on Thursday 5 March, following final approval of the County Council’s budget by Full Council on Thursday.

The funding will support a wide‑ranging programme of work across the county, including road resurfacing, structural repairs, bridges, drainage and street lighting, with a strong focus on preventative maintenance and right first‑time repairs.

“The programme includes £48.5m of highway maintenance funding from the Department for Transport and a further £18.5m through the county council’s 2026/27 budget, alongside additional investment and carry over funding, bringing the total highways capital programme for the year to £72m.”

Investment will be prioritised using a risk‑based, data‑driven approach, ensuring funding is targeted where it will have the greatest long‑term benefit.

The proposals also allow the council to continue investing in Lancashire’s A, B and C classified roads – the main routes most people use every day – while maintaining a risk‑based approach to other assets such as bridges, footways and lighting columns.

The programme builds on changes already made to how highways maintenance is delivered, helping ensure repairs last longer and provide better value for money.

The investment follows the publication of the Department for Transport’s Local Road Maintenance Ratings, which rated Lancashire as amber overall.

The council has made clear that continued investment, alongside improved asset management and delivery of high‑quality, long‑lasting repairs, is key to improving performance and securing future funding.

County Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“Lancashire residents deserve roads that are safe, reliable and repaired properly the first time.

“This £72 million programme allows us to focus on the routes people use every day, and make sure repairs last longer.

“It’s about using our limited resources to make sure the money we spend has the maximum impact on our roads – delivering value for money and helping residents feel proud of where they live.”

If approved, work will continue throughout 2026/27, alongside day‑to‑day reactive repairs. Residents can continue to help prioritise work by reporting defects through the county council website.