Rossendale and Darwen MP Sir Jake Berry has hailed the latest government boost to road repair cash in East Lancashire.

The Tory backbencher said the extra money would mean thousands of people across his constituency and across the county will enjoy smoother, safer, and faster road journeys.

This financial year Blackburn with Darwen Council will receive an additional £306,000 with Lancashire County Council receiving an additional £3,661,000.

This will be followed by a further of £306,000 and £3,661,000 respectively in 2024/25, as part of a long-term funding plan through to 2034.

In total it means and extra £244,511,000 for Lancashire County Council and £20,438,000 for Blackburn with Darwen Council over the next eleven years.

The funding follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement that the £36 billion that would have been spent extending HS2 would now be spent on long-term transport improvements.

Sir Jake said: "People across Rossendale and Darwen rely on our roads to go about their daily lives, and I know the inconvenience potholes can cause.

"That is why I welcome the government’s decision to increase funding to local highway authorities, with Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen Councils set to receive £264,949,000 in total.

“This funding will greatly improve the day-to-day lives of residents – ensuring shorter, faster and smoother journeys.”

Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “As a council we disagreed with the decision by the government to scrap the HS2 project.

“Extra money to help to repair and resurface our highways is, of course,welcome and is very much needed after years of austerity have seen huge cuts in the money available for road and highways repairs.

"The council has pressed the government for additional funding and it is good that some money has finally become available.”

Lancshire County Council's highways boss, Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, said: "We know that improving our roads is a top priority for Lancashire's residents and businesses.

"Our highways team works really hard to squeeze the most out of the resources we have available to keep our roads in the best possible condition.

"However, we can always do more with more funding, and having greater certainty over the next 10 years will also make a big difference.

"This announcement has come just at the right time to ensure we can include more schemes in this year's delivery programme and plan effectively over the winter in order to hit the ground running for the following financial year."