The UK Government will provide a total of £1.2bn to councils for road improvements during the 2017-2018 financial year.

The funding will be used to enhance roads in order to reduce congestion and journey times.

Councils will receive the money from the new National Productivity Investment Fund, which was announced in the Autumn Statement and the Pothole Action Fund.

The funding also includes £75m, which councils can bid for to repair and maintain local infrastructure, such as bridges, street lighting and rural roads.

UK Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life linking people with jobs and businesses with customers, which is why this government is investing record amounts improving and maintaining highways across the country to help motorists.

"This government is investing record amounts improving and maintaining highways across the country to help motorists."

“The funding we have allocated today is focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future – helping to build an economy that works for everyone.”

The government has published additional information about what the funding will be spent on, as part of its plan to stimulate the economy.

In a bid to reduce the number of potholes in the country, the Department for Transport (DfT) is set to begin a new trial in partnership with Thurrock and York Councils.

The DfT has developed a new pothole-spotter system, which will be mounted on refuse collection vehicles and use high-definition cameras, an integrated navigation system and intelligent software to evaluate road surfaces.

Image: UK Government allocates £1.2bn to councils for road improvements. Photo: courtesy of UK Government.