Shropshire and Telford transport budgets cut

Scores of road repairs and transport schemes across Shropshire are under threat after Government funding cuts of £4.8 million.

Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced the county will be getting £18.8m in 2011/12 - down from £23.6m in 2010/11.

Shropshire Council's budget is to be slashed from £19.1m to £15.1m, while Telford & Wrekin Council's allocation is down to £3.7m from £4.5m.

Across the country, councils will be getting more than £3 billion over the next four years for local highway maintenance.

Mr Baker said: "With limited resources available, it is essential that highways maintenance continues to be prioritised, reflecting the economic and social importance to local communities, the need to safeguard the largest single local public asset and the liabilities for future years that can be created from short-term cuts in maintenance."

He added that the Government was also providing more than £1.3bn over the next four years for small transport improvement schemes, "reflecting the contribution these schemes make to improving road safety, stimulating local economies by reducing congestion, and delivering social justice to local communities".