Ashby MP Amanda Hack has welcomed £28million worth of Government funding to fix the county's potholes.

The investment announced earlier this month will see £5,364,000 go to Leicester City Council and £28,789,000 go to Leicestershire County Council as part of a wider £1.6 billion pot of funding – which Labour says is an increase of nearly 50 per cent on local road maintenance funding from last year.

Labour added that the East Midlands has been 'plagued by potholes for too long', and the Government is 'investing to boost infrastructure as part of its Plan for Change'.

Ms Hack, the MP for North West Leicestershire, said: "We know how important it is to both drivers and cyclists in Leicestershire that their roads are safe and well maintained.

"This huge investment from the Labour government is incredibly welcome.

"The Government is also making sure authorities spend the money wisely, collect the right data, and deliver proactive maintenance before potholes start to form. 

"The funding has built-in incentives, with 25 per cent of this uplift held back until authorities have shown that they are delivering.

"The Government has also announced that at least 50 per cent of surplus lane rental funds will be reinvested into highways maintenance so that even more roads can be improved. 

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North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack. Photo: Supplied

"Lane rental schemes allow local highway authorities to charge companies for the time that street and road works occupy the road. 

"Additionally, the Department for Transport is also consulting on devolving powers to approve lane rental schemes, which are currently with the Secretary of State, to local Mayors. This will support the delivery of more lane rental schemes and put power back into local hands. 

"On top of this funding, the Transport Secretary is announcing a clampdown on disruptive street works, doubling Fixed Penalty Notices for utility companies who fail to comply with rules and extending charges for street works that run into the weekend."

It comes as figures from the RAC show drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile in England and Wales, and the cost of pothole damage to vehicles is around £500 on average, with more severe repairs costing considerably more. 

According to the AA, fixing potholes is a priority for 96 per cent of drivers.

 The public is also being encouraged to report potholes in their area to their local council through a dedicated Gov.uk page.