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Government pledges £46 million to fix potholes in new road funding boost

Cars pass a deep potholed road in Gloucestershire, which along with most of the South West UK, needs attention and repair work after a year of heavy rainfall and recent flooding, creating potholes and debris. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday January, 6, 2013. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Cars pass a deep potholed road in Gloucestershire, which along with most of the South West UK, needs attention and repair work after a year of heavy rainfall and recent flooding, creating potholes and debris. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday January, 6, 2013. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

The government has pledged a £46 million fund to repair up to a million potholes across the country, as part of a £6 billion boost to road funding. Transport minister Jesse Norman announced the plans in York yesterday, while visiting the trial of an innovative pothole spotting device.

The trial sees high-definition cameras fitted to bicycles, buses and refuse collection lorries to monitor road conditions. Councils can then take the data to identify potholes that need filling, and fix them when they occur, as well as plan for new resurfacing and refurbishment.

See also: One million cars damaged by potholes last year

See also: Cars could be programmed to spot potholes in future

The latest £46 million boost is on top of £75 million given to councils earlier this year. As well as the pothole fund, £151 million is being set aside to reward councils who plan road maintenance efficiently.

Another £4 million is set to improve cycle facilities at train stations, while £500,000 is earmarked to speed up the development of connected vehicle technologies.

"People need great roads to get about, do business and see friends and family," Norman said.

"We're investing record amounts at present to improve the condition of our roads, so drivers and cyclists don't have to dodge potholes to travel safely.

"We're also looking at how new innovations can help councils keep their roads in the best condition, saving money and planning their maintenance better."

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