The funds form part of the £333 million fund announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, which is to be used for essential maintenance and is in addition to the £3 billion the Government is already providing for councils in England between 2011 and 2015 for highways maintenance. 

Details of the funding allocations are available here.

Improvements will include road resurfacing, maintenance to bridges or repairing damage to highway infrastructure caused by severe weather events, such as the recent flooding. 

Patrick McLoughlin said: 'This extra money will support economic growth and development by helping local authorities to get the best out of their local road networks. 

"This funding can be spent on measures to bring smoother, safer and more reliable journeys to the travelling public whether they are commuting to work or taking the children to school.a 

As a condition of the fundingt local authorities are required to publish a short statement on their websites at the end of each financial year setting out what and where this additional funding has been spent.