MORE than £3million has been made available to the county council to fix dangerous roads across Gloucestershire that were damaged during the winter storms.

The £3.3million handout was given to Gloucestershire County Council as part of a government fund set aside to help local authorities deal with the aftermath of the wettest winter on record.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and floods, said the council was “grateful” for the first instalment of government money.

“The money will be used to support all the hard work we have done and continue to do to repair our roads following the recent severe weather,” he said.

Cllr Smith said the council will continue to apply for funding to address not just potholes and surface damage, but the major landslips seen across the county.

The extra money is being distributed now to ensure that repairs can be started as soon as possible, so that the majority of the damage can be fixed ahead of the summer holidays.

Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, said the money will give drivers safer and smoother journeys.

“This extra money will help make a real difference to the millions of road users and residents across England who rely on local roads,” he said.

Seven other councils in the South West of England were also given cash payments of more than £1million.