Hertfordshire County Council is spending £1m fixing cracks and worn road surfaces before frost turns them into potholes, with repairs over the coming months.

Hertfordshire County Council, the highways authority for Stevenage’s roads, has started a £1 million programme of small repairs meant to stop cracks in the road turning into potholes once the frost arrives.

The money is not new. The council said it is coming out of existing highways funding and will go on a targeted programme of preventative work across the county, rather than on filling holes after they appear.

What the crews will fix

The programme concentrates on minor defects: cracks and surface deterioration that are not yet potholes but could become them. According to the council’s announcement, the aim is to get to them before colder temperatures, frost and wet weather make them worse.

Close-up of a cracked road surface, with weeds growing along the larger cracks
A cracked road surface of the kind the programme targets. Photo: supplied by Hertfordshire County Council

Highways teams will carry out targeted repairs at locations across the county over the coming months, the council said, choosing places where early work can make the greatest difference to road condition and to keeping the network running. It has not published a list of the roads involved, so it is not yet known which Stevenage streets are included.

By doing the work early, the council says it hopes to protect the condition of the county’s roads, cut disruption for drivers and avoid larger, more expensive repairs later in the season.

What the council says

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Executive Member for Highways at Hertfordshire County Council, said:

“Winter weather can be particularly challenging for our roads, with water, frost and traffic all contributing to the development of potholes. That’s why we’re taking action now. We’re investing £1 million in preventative works across the county, allowing us to repair minor defects before they develop into larger problems. This approach is about being proactive wherever possible, helping to keep Hertfordshire’s roads in better condition throughout the winter months and reducing the need for more significant repairs later on.”

He added:

“Preparing for winter isn’t just about responding when problems occur. It’s about taking practical steps now to help prevent them. By investing in these preventative repairs, we’re working to protect our roads, improve journeys for residents and make the best use of the funding already available.”

Part of the winter plan

The council described the repairs as one part of its wider preparations for winter. Gritting and dealing with weather damage remain an important part of keeping roads moving, it said, but stopping defects from getting worse in the first place is also a key priority.

The county council, which is based at Robertson House on Six Hills Way in Stevenage, serves the county’s 1.2 million residents. For current closures and works in and around the town, see our Stevenage roadworks and travel page.