WARRINGTON'S highways will be getting improvements following a £2.9 million funding boost.

The Department for Transport has announced the town will receive the cash following a successful funding bid from the council.

The local highway maintenance challenge funding will be used to improve the condition and resilience of the highway network – and will include nine carriageway resurfacing schemes, bridge repairs and vital drainage repairs.

Works are being planned to start as soon as possible.

It follows Warrington’s £40 million highways investment programme, which was launched in 2016, with the council recently achieving the milestone of completing 200 road surfacing schemes across the borough.

As part of the programme, set up to improve the condition of roads and footways, the authority’s engineering and flood risk team has also carried out more than 150 footway resurfacing schemes.

It has seen the council meet its commitment to allocate funding and carry out road or footway improvements in all 22 wards.

Leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “Our highways network is vital to our ongoing growth, new business development, and our economic success.

“That’s why it’s crucial that we continue to invest in it.”

Cllr Hans Mundry, cabinet member for highways, transportation and public realm, said he is delighted with the news.

He said: “It will allow us to deliver even more projects to reduce congestion, improve safety and keep Warrington moving – all important parts of our long-term vision for our town’s success.”

The Government announcement has also been welcomed by Warrington South MP Andy Carter.

He said: “This is a really big windfall for Warrington.

“I want to make sure this cash is spent across the town, resurfacing roads which have not been fixed for many years and in particular repairing rural roads, bridges and sorting out the Bridgewater Canal underpasses which flood often.

“This is another example of Government levelling up in the north and taking the action needed to tackle issues that were raised during the general election.”

The council also says it is making good progress in responding to the challenges of climate change and the impact of increased storms and flooding on roads and properties.

The engineering and flood risk team has received £2.1 million of external funding since 2012, delivering 28 flood risk schemes.

This includes the authority leading a collaborative project involving United Utilities and the Environment Agency to reduce flood risks at Densham Avenue.

Grant funding of £400,000 has been secured to deliver a project in late summer, which will minimise flood risk.