North Tyneside Council showcased its plans to improve the maintenance of local roads during a Ministerial visit on Thursday.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP visited the borough to meet Elected Mayor Dame Norma Redfearn DBE and learn about the council’s plans to improve its network, having brought highways services back in-house.
The move gives the Council greater flexibility to deliver lasting improvements such as permanent repairs, expanded carriageway patching and resurfacing, all aimed at making roads safer for residents and businesses.
The Minister saw staff repairing potholes on Dudley Lane, Seaton Burn, where damaged road material was removed and recycled. The process reflects the council’s commitment to sustainable road maintenance and its ambition to reach Carbon Net Zero.
The Council will invest an additional £2 million per year, alongside extra funding from the Government, to tackle the backlog of repairs and invest in preventative measures such as resurfacing and structural improvements. It will also explore the use of artificial intelligence to detect potholes and maintenance issues early.
Elected Mayor Dame Norma Redfearn DBE said: “This is about more than just fixing potholes – it’s about rethinking how we maintain our highways. By recycling materials and embracing new technologies, we’re adopting a smarter, greener approach to improving road conditions for everyone.
“We want to make our roads safer, deliver repairs faster, and reduce the environmental impact of maintenance work while addressing residents’ concerns.”
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: “Road users across the North East deserve better than crumbling roads which force them to pay out for expensive repairs and pose a real safety risk.
“We’re investing a record £1.6 billion for local authorities to fix up to 7 million more potholes next year and end the pothole plague.
“This will allow councils to get on with the work of fixing our roads as quickly as possible, with £22 million allocated for North East Combined Authority to undertake long-term preventative maintenance rather than patchwork repairs.
"At a time when every penny counts, the Government’s Plan for Change will put money back in drivers’ pockets, improve bus services and make our roads safer for cyclists and motorcyclists.”
