The Welsh Government has allocated £12 million to local authorities to make road improvements across the whole country.

The additional funding will allow local authorities to continue with planned highways maintenance works, boosting the economy and making active travel safer. The government said there was a need to highlight the need to make best use of existing infrastructure through effective maintenance and management.

Local authorities will also be better able to respond to the impact of recent weather events, including damage to highways caused by the recent flooding.

Launched last week, Llwybr Newydd, the Welsh Government’s new transport strategy, pledged a bold increase in the number of people using public active travel or walking and cycling to get around.

Local Government and Housing Minister Julie James said: “We know that during the pandemic with a quieter road network most councils have already made good use of the opportunity to undertake repairs and improvements.

“We are providing this extra funding to reflect the flood damage we have seen to highways across Wales and the ways in which we are using our local environment differently. By providing this extra funding, we are enabling local authorities to continue making improvements to roads in Wales, boosting the economy and making roads safer for active travel.”