CREWE’S MP Edward Timpson has welcomed new Government funding for pothole repairs and urged Cheshire East Council to bid for support.

The £168 million Pothole Fund, announced in the 2014 Budget, has opened for bids from councils, with applications closing next month.

The funding is enough to repair more than three million potholes across Britain, and comes on top of £10 billion already being given to councils in England for local roads maintenance between 2010 and 2021.

Local authorities who get funding will have to sign a pothole pledge setting out clearly how many potholes they will fix by March 2015 so that local communities can have confidence that action will be taken.

Mr Timpson said: “This is a great opportunity to improve the roads in Crewe and Nantwich and deal with the blight of potholes.

“I am delighted that Cheshire East Council is preparing its bid for this money.

“Investing in Britain’s roads and infrastructure is a key part of the long-term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain.

“By fixing Britain’s roads we are supporting local businesses, and making life that bit easier for the hardworking people in Crewe and Nantwich who rely on them to get around.”