AN MP has issued a stark warning to councils to fill pot holes and resurface the roads following a multi-million pound injection of new government money.

Tatton MP Esther McVey said there was ‘absolutely no excuse’ for the repairs not to be done given the extra money being awarded to local councils.

Councils across the country will receive a share of £8.3 billion to resurface thousands of miles of roads.

Cheshire East will be handed £110.7 million by 2033/34 with £1.658 million coming this financial year and the same amount the following year.

Knutsford Guardian: Tatton MP Esther McVey urges councils to allocate funds quickly 'so residents can see an improvement'Tatton MP Esther McVey urges councils to allocate funds quickly 'so residents can see an improvement' (Image: Supplied)

Cheshire West and Chester will receive nearly £84.3 million with £1.26 million coming this year and next, according to the Department for Transport figures.

Ms McVey said: “This is a massive investment into our roads and additional money that councils were not expecting.

“It must be put to good use and allocated quickly so residents can see an improvement.

“Given the size of this investment and the fact it is additional money, there is absolutely no excuse for repairs not to be carried out.

“Pot holes are a blight to communities and I am constantly raising constituents’ concerns with both local councils and the wider issue of pot holes and road repairs with government.

“I have written to both councils requesting the criteria that will be used to decide which roads are prioritised.

“I want to ensure Tatton receives a fair share of this new government funding.”

Cllr Karen Shore, deputy leader of Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and cabinet member for environment, highways and transport said: “We have been told that the additional funding for the current financial year to April 2024 is £1.286 million, with the same amount confirmed for the financial year 2024/25 to help fund additional roads maintenance.

“We are now agreeing an additional repair programme with our contractor.”

CWAC manages more than 2,280 kilometres of carriageway.

Cllr Shore added: “Our council repaired over 7,000 potholes last year. “During the summer, the council prioritised additional funding for extra crews working across the borough to complete 800 repairs on top of the planned work.

“As we approach winter the damage to our roads will increase. This additional funding will help to reduce the impact.

“Our current backlog of maintenance on the carriageways alone is £126 million, so the additional funding announced for this year and next will not halt the deterioration of the highway network, although it’s still welcomed.”

Transport Minister Mark Harper said: “Most people travel by road and potholes can cause misery for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow, and dangerous journeys.

“Our £8.3 billion boost to repair roads across the country shows that we are on the side of drivers.

“This biggest-ever funding uplift for local road improvements is a victory for all road users, who will enjoy smoother, faster and safer trips – as we use redirected HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”

Government said the funding comes on top of the local transport, road and rail budgets allocated at the last Spending Review and in addition to what local authorities were already expecting for the next decade.