A fifth of Essex's roads have been given a red alert and are in urgent need of repair.
Essex County Council has come up with a new coding system, highlighting the worst roads in the county.
It will spend an extra £45 million in the next three years to tackle the worst of the roads, and says the approach will save it £100 million in the long term.
Some roads will be closed for work, and drivers are being warned of increased congestion.
All of the county's 4,700 miles of roads have been graded on a traffic light system of red, amber or green. About 900 miles have been put in the red category, classed as being in the worst condition.
Rodney Bass, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "I see this as a major contribution to improving our roads."
Published Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article