A MAJOR investment in the county's roads is set to take place after Herefordshire Council was awarded £5million from the government.

The council says the money, from the Department for Transport’s Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund, will enable it to support economic growth in the region by investing in transport routes leading to Herefordshire’s Enterprise Zone.

The road maintenance works will include a specific focus on the Midlands Connect strategic economic corridors which comprise of the A465, A438 and A4103 through Herefordshire.

The £5million will be supplemented by £3million from Herefordshire Council’s own capital programme, and the scheme is set to improve the condition of these A roads through a combination of resurfacing, surface dressing and carriageway rejuvenation which will be carried out by Balfour Beatty Living Places.

Councillor Barry Durkin, Herefordshire Council cabinet member for transport and roads, said: "Herefordshire Council is thrilled that our successful partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places has been recognised by the Department for Transport. The £8million will be invested into 25.5 miles of carriageway resurfacing, 12.4 miles of surface dressing and one mile of carriageway rejuvenation works to some of the county’s most important routes, making this the second largest highway maintenance scheme in the country.

"This is a major investment in Herefordshire, supporting the growth of the Enterprise Zone and industry across the county, enabling the local economy to prosper. The work will commence this month to the A4103, A438 and A465 and will provide great connectivity, helping to power the Midlands Engine.”

Dr Alisdair MacDonald, contract director at Balfour Beatty Living Places, said the funds would enable the contractor to further improve Herefordshire’s road network for the local community and 'boost the region’s competitiveness and attractiveness to businesses'.

He said: "Competition for the funding was strong, and we believe that the strength of our Highways Asset Management capability resulted in securing this positive outcome.”

This funding follows an additional investment of £20 million into local roads by Herefordshire Council between 2014 to 2016.