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Counties across England can today (6 April 2017) bid for a share of 拢490 million to improve their roads.

The funding, which will be for schemes from 2018 to 2020, is designed to tackle congestion and provide upgrades to local roads to improve journey times.

Bids are encouraged for a wide variety of schemes which will cut congestion, including by making use of technology and by opening up the data held by local councils.

The pot of money is from the National Productivity Investment Fund, which is providing 拢1.3 billion to enhance transport links to boost growth.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said:

We are investing record amounts on our roads 鈥� spending more than 拢23 billion on providing better journeys for motorists.

We are also committing a further 拢1.3 billion up to 2020 to cut congestion and provide important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future.

This money will allow councils to go even further to improve their roads and will be targeted at areas which need it most, providing a significant boost to the UK鈥檚 economy.

The first tranche of money to councils, 拢185 million, is already making a difference 鈥� in the north this includes improving roads in Blackpool, better access to the M65 near Blackburn, improving the A483 and A55 for the expansion of Chester Business Park.

In the south-west, it鈥檚 supporting infrastructure for growth and is likely to include a critical link in Bridgwater supporting construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and housing development in south Bridgwater.

Highways England is also spending 拢220 million on congestion relief schemes at identified traffic hotspots. This is providing 拢90 million for pinch point projects in the north, 拢23 million for the Midlands, 拢53 million for the south-east, 拢32 million for the south-west and 拢16 million for the east.

The competition will run until June 30 and councils will be provided with details of how to bid.