Motorists and cyclists across the North East and Yorkshire are set to benefit from safer roads following a major investment.
The Government announced it will invest £32million into the region to tackle growing pothole problems and create new cycling infrastructure.
The investment comes as Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood visited Saltburn-by-the-Sea to attend Stage 2 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, the UK's largest women's road cycling race.
The minister used the event to highlight how improved road surfaces will make cycling more accessible, particularly for women who were found to be disproportionately deterred by safety concerns.
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The North East will be given new funding to tackle potholes and uneven road surfaces
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The funding forms part of a wider £500million national programme to address road maintenance issues across England.
The package comprises of £20million specifically allocated for resurfacing roads throughout the North East and Yorkshire, addressing the region's persistent pothole problems.
An additional £12.8million will fund the construction of new cycle lanes and pavements in the area, the minister added.
This investment is also part of a broader £1.6billion national commitment to road maintenance, sufficient to repair approximately seven million potholes across the country.
Potholes cause havoc to drivers and cyclists on UK roads
PAThe announcement follows this week's £15.6billion boost for local transport projects across England's city regions, including South Yorkshire, the North East and Tees Valley.
The cycle infrastructure funding comes from a £291million national package aimed at promoting active travel methods.
The Labour MP for Nottingham South explained that the Government aims to demonstrate how resurfacing roads will create safer conditions for all road users, with particular emphasis on encouraging more women to take up cycling.
Research from Cycling UK revealed that 58 per cent of women cite safety concerns and inadequate infrastructure as barriers to cycling, with 36 per cent specifically identifying poor road conditions as a major deterrent.
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Greenwood said: "Safer roads mean safer spaces to cycle. The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women is a fantastic way to show women and girls the power of cycling and the difference it can make to their lives.
"By investing in better roads, we’re delivering our Plan for Change - encouraging more women and girls to hop on a bike, easing pressure on the NHS and building healthier, stronger communities."
The new infrastructure will enable 30 million additional journeys by bike or foot annually across the country, including over 20 million new walk-to-school trips.
Motoring organisations have welcomed the investment, recognising its benefits for all road users.
Labour pledged to invest £1.6billion to fix an additional one million potholes every year GO.COMPARERAC Senior Policy Officer Rod Dennis stated that the quality of the nation's roads must be improved to make journeys smoother and safer. "It's crucial now that councils use this cash as effectively as possible," he said.
He emphasised the importance of preventative maintenance, noting that councils should focus on surface dressing to maintain roads in better condition for longer periods.
IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes added: "Poorly maintained roads are not just a nuisance, they are a road safety hazard, particularly for those on two wheels.
"We welcome this additional funding that focuses not just on smoother surfaces but safer infrastructure, which will improve journey choice for people."
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