Reform Lancashire welcomes visible progress on highways and transport

Reform Lancashire welcomes visible progress on highways and transport

Across Lancashire, those everyday details are being tackled head‑on, with visible improvements showing how getting the basics right makes a big difference.

The new administration has big ambitions too. Roads, street works, and school transport are being transformed – with faster, smarter repairs, less disruption, and better value for residents.

Lancashire is determined to do things differently, with a focus on quality, accountability, and innovation to restore confidence in local services.

In just six months, huge strides have already been made in improving highways and street works.

• Road and footway defects down 42% from over 61,000 in September 2024 to just over 35,000 in September 2025.
• Better control of utility works, reducing unnecessary road closures and disruption.
• More efficient home‑to‑school transport, with 50 new minibuses and expanded family support.

Smarter repairs, lasting results

A new Managed Service model is delivering deeper, more durable fixes. Where repairs used to average 2m², they now cover 6m² per defect and come with a 12‑month warranty, cutting repeat visits and disruption for residents.

The new model replaces a fragmented system of multiple contractors with a single streamlined provider, freeing Lancashire’s own highways teams to focus on urgent defects and resurfacing.

Innovation is also at the forefront: Lancashire is the first county in the UK to trial a small‑repair asphalt recycling machine, reducing waste and improving sustainability. AI‑driven inspections have been piloted across the A‑road network to identify safety defects, with plans to expand county‑wide.

Small sign cleaning teams have also been quietly working their way through the county to give some of the county's signs a long overdue clean. To date, 9,034 signs have been cleaned, covering 169 miles of road, helping to keep drivers safe and help improve the overall appearance of the road network.

Saving money and improving SEND school transport

School transport has also seen significant improvements. Fifty new minibuses are now in service across several schools, increasing occupancy from three to five passengers per journey. Early results at schools such as Bleasdale and Sir Tom Finney show costs per passenger down by 30% (from £11k to £8k), with projected savings of £838,000 and a further £608,000 avoided through reduced taxi use if replicated more widely.

Transport Assistant Grants have risen from 488 to 750, delivering around £2 million in annual savings and £3.8 million in total. More than 200 parents now safely support their children on single‑occupancy journeys, avoiding costs of £1.8 million.

The new administration will continue driving high standards, ensuring the service remains modern, efficient, and focused on real improvements for local people.

Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:

^{"Lancashire residents deserve roads that are safe, reliable, and repaired properly the first time.}

^{"For too long, maintenance was reactive and inefficient. Our new approach prioritises quality, accountability, and innovation.}

^{"By taking control of utility works, improving repair standards, and embracing AI and sustainable practices, we are saving money and giving Lancashire the roads and services our communities deserve."}