MP welcomes extra funds to fill pot holes

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that the County Council has been boosted with an extra £4.85 million of funding from the Department for Transport.

Tim, who has been fighting for more cash to fill potholes, welcomed the Government's response that they will release £4.85m for the county to do just that. Around 91,000 potholes in Cumbria will be filled in the coming months-providing relief to frustrated motorists anxious about damage to their cars from the bothersome holes. Tim had be lobbying for Cumbria to be given a decent slice of the cash.

The County Council will also publish quarterly updates on how many of the potholes have been filled.

The average cost of a repairing a pothole only costs £50. In 2012, Tim helped secure an extra £5.9 million of roads investment for Cumbria from government over the next two years. Cumbria will be given £3.89 million in 2013/14 and £2.082 million in 2014/15. This is in addition to the current funding the council receives. This new funding will be additional to that.

Tim said: "I have been champing at the bit to get this extra funding secured. Potholes are an aggravation to drivers-and can cause damage to cars, and even lead to accidents.

"I'm delighted that the Government have responded to my concerns-as part of the biggest investment in roads since the 1970s.

"Now that the County Council has secured this funding, I would really urge them to spend it and get those potholes filled."