Solihull Council has announced an ambitious highways maintenance programme for the 2026-27 financial year, targeting resurfacing improvements across over 100 roads within the borough.
The council oversees the upkeep of around 600 miles of public highways, assets valued at approximately £1.3 billion. A recent officer report highlighted that the need for road resurfacing remains exceptionally high, with an estimated £52 million worth of essential schemes identified.
To effectively allocate resources, the council uses a detailed scoring system to prioritise the most critical and high-risk road sections requiring full carriageway resurfacing.
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For 2026-27, the Highway Asset Management Investment Plan (AMIP) aims to resurface nearly 17 miles of roads and repair about 1,850 potholes. The plan extends beyond surfacing to include vital maintenance tasks such as bridge inspections, gully cleaning, and upgrading street lighting.
Funding for this maintenance work combines projected revenue of a little over £8.1 million, sourced from the council’s core budget, and capital funding of just above £20.6 million acquired from various channels.
Councillor Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Infrastructure, approved the investment plan during a decision session on February 10. Dean Ward, Head of Highway Infrastructure, reported that in the current financial year ending March, around 16 miles of roads were successfully resurfaced and repaired.
Councillor Hawkins emphasized the importance of ongoing maintenance amid challenges like harsh weather, noting, “Public surveys consistently show positive feedback on our road network, but issues arising from ice and water require constant vigilance.”
The types of resurfacing vary by location, ranging from full carriageway renewal to footpath repairs. Moreover, proposed treatments remain flexible and subject to adjustment following continuous inspections throughout the year.
Below is the breakdown of the 109 roads designated for carriageway treatment, organized by district area:
- Bickenhill
- Blythe
- Castle Bromwich
- Chelmsley Wood
- Dorridge and Hockley Heath
- Elmdon
- Knowle
- Lyndon
- Meriden
- Olton
- Shirley
- Shirley East
- Shirley West
- Silhill
- Smith’s Wood
- St Alphege
This comprehensive resurfacing initiative reflects Solihull Council’s commitment to maintaining safe, reliable roads for residents and visitors alike.