Efforts to improve highways across the county have been recognised after Essex County Council was shortlisted for a National Transport Award.

Essex County Council will find out next Thursday if it has secured the coveted Transport Local Authority of the Year award at a national ceremony in London.

Councillor Rodney Bass, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Keeping Essex’s roads moving is an integral part of supporting growth and business throughout the county.

“We will continue to focus on improving the Essex road network. And whether we win this award or not, I would like to take this opportunity to praise the excellent work our highways teams do day-in, day-out to keep Essex moving.”

This year saw the number of unrepaired potholes and carriageway defects on the county’s busiest roads fall by 70 per cent in the three months leading up to July, compared with the same period in 2014.