A BODY which represents seven North-East councils has been awarded the largest share of the government’s £1.2bn local roads funding for the next financial year.

The North East Combined Authority (NECA) has been allocated a total of £49.4m for the 2017/18 financial year for improving roads, cutting congestion and improving journey times.

The government is also inviting councils to apply for a share of £175m to upgrade some of the most dangerous roads in the North East area where the risk of fatal and serious collisions is highest, based on analysis by the Road Safety Foundation.

It said roads that were eligible for the funding included a 7.9km stretch of the A66 from Bows to Barnard Castle, a 6.4km section of the A1290 from Usworth to West Bolden and a 77.2km stretch of the A684 through the Yorkshire Dales, from Leeming Bar to the M6.

Other roads which could receive funding for the safety work include a 6.1km stretch of the A167 from Topcliffe to Carlton Miniott and a 55.4km section of the A6108 from Ripon to Scotch Corner.

The Department of Transport announcement follows the Asphalt Industry Alliance revealing last year that it would take 13 years and £553m to repair roads in the North-East.

Transport minister and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones said: “The funding we have allocated today is focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future - helping to build an economy that works for everyone.”

Some £8.94m of the money awarded to the NECA will come from the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF), a strategy Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in the Autumn Statement to tackle the UK’s poor productivity and lower growth forecasts, resulting from Brexit.

The funding for NECA, which serves County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and South Tyneside councils, included £37.2m for roads maintenance and £3.2m to repair potholes.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority, which serves Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton councils, will receive £11.4m, which includes £8.3m to repair roads, £707,000 for potholes work and £2.3m from the NPIF.

North Yorkshire County Council has been awarded £33.8m, of which £26.3m is for general road repairs, £2.3m for potholes work and £5.1m from the NPIF.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, the county’s highways boss, said he was delighted by the amount of funding as roads maintenance was a top priority for both residents and the authority.