OPINION: Residents will see 'massive improvements' on Nottinghamshire's roads

Firstly, I would like to start by thanking everyone who has taken the time to message me about the works being carried out on the roads.

There have been hundreds and I am very appreciative of the time taken out of your day to do this.

As everybody knows, we are delivering record-breaking results in such a short space of time. 

This year, you will all see a massive improvement out on the roads. We now have 46 teams out daily, who will continue throughout the winter months. 

We have now added in situ recycling to our methods of fixing the roads, which is another environmentally-friendly and cost-effective method employed from our toolbox.

The old surface is planed (or milled) and, rather than taken off site with new aggregate having to be imported, it is pulverised and mixed with a very small amount of binder, levelled and compacted to form the base for the new road surface.

This will set within two hours or so and then the new asphalt surface can be laid on top of it. Hey presto, a brand-new road completed with less disruption and in less time than using traditional methods.

We have also recently started some major works in Warsop, fixing the A60, York Terrace, Sherwood Street and many more - which were long overdue.

As most of you will have heard, we put a judicial review into the government against the option it chose out of the three put forward. 

We disagreed with the city option it chose, as the city option, as it did not follow the guidelines and legislation set by the government. 

Our judicial review was rock solid as this was one of the main reasons why the government had no choice but to pull the original decision. 

But moving forward, LGR (Local Government Reorganisation) is still going to happen, according to the minister, and we will work tirelessly to work with the minister to ensure we get the best option for Nottinghamshire moving forward. 

I have also been elected for a second year as the Reform vice-chairman of the LGA (Local Government Association). 

The LGA has also elected me to be the chairman of the Culture, Tourism and Sports Committee. 

Within this committee, I am going to push for sports and drama to be put back into the school’s curriculum. 

We also want more help and support to help councils deliver sports and culture activities within each district. 

I am working very closely with the culture minister, Baroness Mackenzie, on various subjects. 

Finally, I have also been put on the board of the CCN (County Councils Network) to deliver information on the White Paper moving forward.

If you would like to contact me about any issue, please do so by emailing [email protected].

Take care, Mick.