MID WALES is set to receive a slice of £7 million to help repair the region’s pothole-riddled roads, it was revealed today.

Powys County Council will be handed the cash by the Welsh Assembly to help fill thousands of holes left by the freezing winter weather.

The news has been welcomed by motorists and council chiefs in Powys who admit certain areas are badly in need of repair.

The exact sum Powys is set to receive has not yet been revealed, but Councillor Geraint Hopkins, council board member for highways, said he was delighted with the news.

He said: “We welcome any additional funds that will help tackle the potholes that have been left by the recent cold weather and this announcement by the Welsh Assembly Government is a positive response to help local councils.

“We look forward to receiving details of the Powys allocation.”

A total of £7.085 million has been allocated specifically to support councils, which are under pressure following a second winter of widespread snow, economy and transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said.

Mr Jones added: “This additional investment will further improve the safety and condition of our roads and demonstrates our commitment to helping local authorities repair potholes that have developed following another winter of heavy snowfall.

“While the responsibility for maintaining local roads rests with local authorities, this Assembly has again shown that it is keen to work with them as much as possible when we are hit with unexpected bad weather as happened over the Christmas period.

“This funding will enable councils to fund further repair works and improve our roads network.”

The news has been welcomed by John Corbett, a motorist from Welshpool, who says the town’s roads leave something to be desired.

He said: “The state of the roads in town at the moment is absolutely terrible, especially where they are doing the work for the new Tesco store.

“The surface has huge gaping potholes and I bet it has cost people a lot of money repairing damaged tyres and suspension.”

By Andrew Morris