The date Lincolnshire's roads are expected to be up to scratch
It could take three years for Lincolnshire’s roads to be considered ‘better than average’ according to the county council.
The state of the highways – particularly smaller ones – has been one of residents’ big complaints with the authority for several years.
The Reform-led council claims there will be a noticeable improvement over the next 12 months, with more focus on preventing problems to avoid expensive and disruptive repairs down the line.
Lincolnshire’s A, B and C roads are now rated better than average for English authorities, according to council data, although unclassified roads are still lagging behind.
A report on highways presented to the council on Friday (May 22) shows the council’s ambition for the next few years.
“By targeting funding where it has the greatest impact, the council expects Lincolnshire’s road condition to be better than the national average across A, B, C and unclassified roads by 2029,” it says.
“Increased investment in 2026/27 is already delivering measurable improvements in asset condition, alongside early signs of improved public satisfaction, helping to make everyday journeys smoother and more dependable.”
It says a renewed focus on prevention “delivers better value for money, extends the life of the network and reduces the impact of works on commuters and families.”
Just over 21 per cent of unclassified roads currently require some sort of maintenance, says the report. The council’s target is to bring this down to 15 per cent by 2029.
The council has a current scheme for 188 miles of road to be resurfaced over a six-week period, and 99 resurfacing and patching schemes are underway.
The meeting heard complaints from councillors across the political spectrum about the condition of roads.
Reform Councillor Kenneth Bamford said repairs were “inconsistent, often dumps of tarmac patted down with a spade.
“There’s the perception that crews of work staff spend more time travelling around Lincolnshire than working on road repairs.”
Council leader Sean Matthews said that the trial of a JCB Pothole Pro was helping to turn that around.
“It doesn’t fix potholes, it fixes whole stretches of road which is the way to go,” he said.
“Just filling in a pothole leaves the damage under the road. [The Pothole Pro] is a long-term improvement to the road surface.”