ALMOST £1.8million in funding has been announced by the government to tackle potholes in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

The funding forms part of a £70million investment announced by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling for 2017/18 to fix potholes across the country.

Gloucestershire County Council has been allocated £1,435,000 – enough to fix an estimated 27,100 potholes – whilst South Gloucestershire Council will be given £362,000 to fix 6,800 potholes.

The announcement has been welcomed by council chiefs.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This is excellent news.

“Keeping our county moving is a top priority for us and this extra £1.4million on top of the additional £2million we’ve already invested this year will make a big difference in the condition of our roads.

“Council staff will be working hard to put this money to good use – not just in filling potholes, but in resurfacing and other works that will make a long-term difference through our roads first focus. 

“We’ve a lot of work to do – but this is an important step in the right direction.”

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: “We welcome these additional funds which, in line with the guidance provided by the government, will complement our current strategy for dealing with potholes and highway defects.

“We have a robust assessment and treatment system and we regularly survey of South Gloucestershire’s road network, and we programme our intervention and treatment based on this. 

"We have a number of roads that currently require treatment but would not have been included within the forthcoming year’s programme without these additional funds. 

"This funding is expected to treat a number of these sites, and will also help us to maintain the capacity to be reactive and treat newly reported defects when necessary."