Highways teams have marked the worst potholes along Rosliston Road in Swadlincote for urgent repair, providing a relief to local drivers who have faced difficult road conditions in recent weeks. Independent Councillor Amy Wheelton confirmed the development on 30 March 2026, noting that white markings have been placed on the road surface to identify the areas set to be fixed.
The repairs follow a period of heavy use for the road, which served as a primary diversion route during the seven-week closure of Walton Main Street. That closure began on 16 February 2026 to allow for connection works related to the new Walton Bypass and bridge. During this time, drivers had to contend with increased traffic and an emergency 30mph speed restriction. Councillor Wheelton, who successfully lobbied to reduce the original nine-week closure period to seven weeks, had previously secured interim pothole filling on the diversion routes to assist residents.
The maintenance work is part of a broader push to improve road quality across the region. According to Derbyshire County Council, the local authority has a £41 million highways capital investment programme for 2026/2027. This is bolstered by an additional £16 million from the East Midlands Combined County Authority specifically for pothole repairs, with a further £20 million expected to assist with long-term maintenance.
Fixing damaged roads became a primary focus for the council after the local administration changed hands in May 2025. Following reports that the county had been identified as having some of the most degraded roads in England, the council has reported filling 28,000 potholes across the county, including 18,000 from a previous backlog of 26,000 identified in April 2025.
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