WORCESTERSHIRE is to get nearly £15m over two years to tackle a huge backlog in local road repairs.

Transport Minister Keith Hill has said Worcestershire County Council will receive £7,184,000 in 2001/02 and £7,366,000 in 2002/03.

"Our local roads need repairing. They've been in a poor state for long enough," said Mr Hill.

"We are committed to providing sufficient funds to tackle the backlog of expenditure on carriageway, footway, bridge and street light maintenance, estimated to be £7bn in the next 10 years."

Cash was allocated previously just for A-roads and bridges. But authorities have been given the green light to use the grants to mend smaller roads.

Worcestershire county councillor Tom Wells called the news "a real shot in the arm".

"It's good news for pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers, as they often have to put up with cracks and potholes on the sides of our roads," said Coun Wells, who is the county council's "cabinet" member responsible for the road network.

"This money is in addition to £1.1m extra funding for repairs already spent this year by the council and the pledge to spend £2m more next year.

"Worcestershire's A-roads are not in bad condition, but some of our B, C and unclassified roads are in an appalling state and that's where the cash is needed. It will undo a decade of neglect."

Next year the council will spend approximately £500,000 on bridges, £3.5m on A roads and £3m on "non-principal" roads.

"The Government funding will be spread across the county, rather than targeted at particular spots," the councillor added.

"We've done very well compared with neighbouring shires. Herefordshire has a similar amount of roads to maintain as we do, but has received less money."

Herefordshire Council will get £4,348,000 and £4,539,000 respectively, the Government has said.