HIGHWAYS bosses have a chance to fill in thousands of potholes and resurface roads across York, North and East Yorkshire after receiving millions of pounds more than expected in funding from the Government.

The Department for Transport said City of York Council was getting £5.592million, North Yorkshire County Council £52.623 million and East Riding of Yorkshire Council £20.295million.

It said the money would improve journeys for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers, with some of it being used to fill the numerous potholes across the region.

"The package will target around 1.3 million nuisance potholes across Yorkshire and the Humber alone," said a spokesperson.

"It will also see smaller improvements completed to upgrade local networks, such as enhancing road safety at key locations, the installation of priority bus lanes and the creation of projects to help lock in improvements in air quality experienced during lockdown."

North Yorkshire County Council said it would be able to carry out its biggest ever programme of highway maintenance works, thanks in part to the millions of pounds in additional funding.

It said it was receiving some £3.9million in extra money compared to the amount the council had expected to receive and more than 500 individual schemes would delivered, including patching projects, surface dressing and resurfacing.

York council deputy leader and transport executive member Andy D'Agorne said most of the £5.5 million it had received was 'welcome' but in line with anticipated funding and already within the authority's budget.

However, about a third of the sum was not budgeted for and the executive would be considering how this funding could best be allocated in the current circumstances.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it had already prepared a programme of planned road maintenance and the additional funding would allow it to extend this, as well as continuing with much-needed improvements to prevent potholes.