£313,559 for weather damaged roads

WARRINGTON is to receive £313,559 from a total of £13.1 million government funding to help repair North West road damaged by severe weather this winter.
The funding is an exceptional payment from £183.5 million of extra funding the government has made available nationally to help with much needed road repairs following the wettest winter on record.
This is enough to repair an extra 3.3 million potholes.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Damage to roads causes misery for drivers and local communities and the severe weather over the last few months has made the problem worse.
“This extra money will help make a real difference to the millions of road users and residents across the North West who rely on local roads, giving them safer and smoother journeys.”
Warrington’s £313,559 compares with £1,249,785 for neighbouring Cheshire East Council, £358,930 for Wigan, and £252,281 for St Helens.
Councils have a responsibility to maintain their roads properly, but the exceptional weather has caused significant additional damage, increasing the amount of damage to the local road network. As the flood waters have receded and councils have been able to assess the impact, it is clear that these have been particularly severe in certain areas.
This additional money has been allocated on a formula basis, and is being distributed now to ensure that they can make use of it as soon as possible and complete works before the summer holidays.