Money from the scrapped HS2 rail extension is to be used to repair and improve Devon's roads.

The Government has told the county council it will receive an extra £6.663 million in this financial year from the funding redirected from the scrapped HS2 rail extension to Manchester. This will be followed by the same amount next year, and then there will be a minimum of £208.6 million between now and 2033/34.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said the funding will help address some of the repair backlog on Devon’s 8,000 miles of roads. This will include patching work to prevent potholes deteriorating further during the wet and freezing winter weather.

The funding for this financial year means the council can also bring forward resurfacing schemes earmarked within its future works programme.

Cllr Hughes said: “This announcement is really good news and this additional funding will help us tackle some of the backlog of repairs on our network. Every penny of this funding will be targeted towards reducing potholes or preventing potholes from forming, and we’re working closely with our supply chain to ensure there is capacity to respond quickly."

He added that the indication of funding levels over the next 10 years will enable the council to plan future maintenance work more effectively.