Announced by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin today, £4.7m of that funding will be shared between 115 English councils based on need, while £575m will be used to for maintenance of junctions, bridges and street lighting.

The funding also includes a £578m funding package to incentivise councils which demonstrate high value for money on the improvements they initiate. Available between the 2015/16 and 2020/21 financial years, the investment gives an annual budget of £976m for repairs.

Patrick McLoughlin said: ‘It is vital we have good quality roads. This government has already taken strong action by spending £1 billion more on local roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament. 

‘The £6 billion funding I am announcing today will put an end to short term fixes and will mean we have committed £10 billion between 2010 and 2021. This huge investment is part of our long term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century.’