The Government has given Oxfordshire County Council £10.6m to spend on the region's roads.

The annual grant is part of an £80m funding package announced by transport minister Lord MacDonald for local authorities in the South East.

Last year, the county council received £6.7m. For 2000-2001 that has risen to £10.6m to take into account the development of local transport plans.

The £80m nationwide funding, up 31 per cent on last year, will be used to reduce congestion, improve safety and the condition of the roads. It will also be used to widen transport choice, including public transport, walking and cycling. Roger O'Neill, principal planning officer for the county council, said the authority bid for £15m, but was pleased to receive the £10.6m.

He said: "The increase in grant reflects the new system the Government is operating. We now have a five-year transport strategy for the county."

He added that the Oxford Transport Strategy would be one items covered by the grant. More than £15m has already been spent on the controversial new roads scheme introduced in the summer.

Mr O'Neill added: "The next step is to decide which schemes get priority." Lord MacDonald said: "The funding makes clear our determination to deliver integrated transport at a local level.

"Next year we will allocate funds for a full five years. This will allow authorities to invest with certainty and deliver the modern transport systems we all want to see."

Story date: Saturday 18 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.