AN extra £13.743 million of funding is to be given to North Yorkshire for road repairs, the Government has announced.

The funding is part of the £420 million announced for roads in the Budget.

The Department for Transport said it brings the total funds for roads in Yorkshire and the Humber for this year up to £138 million.

With 5,800 miles of road, North Yorkshire has one of the largest highway networks in the country.

The county council said it makes every effort to keep this extensive network in the best possible condition and, therefore, welcomes the £13.743m for highway maintenance in the county.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Highways, said: “Although we are yet to receive official notification, we are delighted by today’s public funding announcement from the Department for Transport.

“This will make a significant contribution to repairing the county’s roads on top of the additional £8m the county council has contributed from its own funds in recent years and the £24m for the rural roads network provided through the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

“Highways maintenance is one of North Yorkshire’s highest priorities and is crucial to keep the county on the move and to support economic growth and prosperity. Once we have official notification of funding, we will press ahead with plans to use it to the best possible effect.”

County Council leader Councillor Carl Les added: “ I`m very pleased with this most welcome news, as it proves the Government is listening to our concerns, expressed directly and through our MPs.”

The Department for Transport said next year (2019-2020), Yorkshire and the Humber will get almost £108 million from the Local Highways Maintenance and Integrated Transport Block funds, which will go towards repairing roads and investing in small safety, bus priority or walking and cycling schemes.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “Potholes are a huge problem for all road users, and too often we see issues occurring at the same place time after time.

“The Government is investing more in improving our roads than at any time before - £15 billion between 2015 and 2020 and a further £28.8 billion to 2025. Plus an immediate extra £420 million for potholes and local road maintenance just this year.

“Yorkshire and the Humber will be getting an extra £42 million this winter to keep its roads in good condition to keep drivers and cyclists safe.”

Since 2015, roads in Yorkshire and the Humber have benefited from £373 million for highways maintenance as well as further investment in Yorkshire and Humber's motorway's links.