NORTH YORKSHIRE highways chiefs have been handed £28.6 million by the Government to repair roads and improve transport next year.

The Department for Transport announced its annual budgets for local authorities yesterday.

North Yorkshire County Council's cash share has been increased from the £26.4 million it received this year.

The total national transport budget is £1.9 billion - more than £200 million more than last year.

Top performing and improving councils have been rewarded with additional funding, while poor performers have had part of their allocations held back.

Both North Yorkshire and City of York councils have been given extra cash as a reward for their good performance.

Of North Yorkshire's total budget, £18.4 million is for repairs and maintenance. The remaining £10.2 million will go towards 'integrated transport' projects, which could also include traffic calming schemes and CCTV.

Coun Peter Sowray, the county council's executive member for environmental services, said: "This is very good news. The extra funding will certainly help us continue to deliver a significant number of projects which will, I am sure, be welcomed by local communities across North Yorkshire.

"We are particularly pleased that the Government has recognised the excellent progress the county council is making in delivering a wide range of transport projects in accordance with our five-year Local Transport Plan.

"This has clearly been important in deciding our allocation for next year." During the last year, the council has improved more than 800 bus stops, refurbished three bus stations, carried out almost 260 structural maintenance projects and strengthened 70 bridges.

City of York council received a £6.3 million share, £800,000 more than expected.

Transport Minister Tony McNulty announced that road, rail and cycle projects in the city have been given a grant of £4.8 million, while £1.46 million has been allocated for maintenance work.

Coun Ann Reid, the city council's executive member for planning and transport, said: "York has done well again and has attracted extra money due to its performance.

"We have received a reward for the delivery of last year's transport plan."

Updated: 10:41 Friday, December 19, 2003