ROAD repairs will increase over the next few years following a £500 million cash boost announced by the Government. The budget for repairing local roads in England has been doubled to £535 million in 2001/2 and £555 million in 2002/3.

The cash is earmarked for more than 165,000 miles of roads, 52,000 bridges and more than 135,000 miles of footways. Transport minister Keith Hill said: 'We are making our roads safer and better for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and all road users.'