TEN million pound will be ploughed into repairing pot holes across Essex over the next year following a grant from the government.

Essex County Council successfully applied for £4.4 million funding to help mend damage on thousands of roads across the county.

The funds will be added to £5.6 million county hall already has in place for the repairs.

Thirty six road repair gangs will be deployed across the county over the next few months to fix the worst potholes and other defects such as drain covers, kerbs and pavements.

It is thought there are about 16,000 pot holes throughout Essex.

Councillor Rodney Bass, in charge of highways at county hall, said the money wouldn’t repair all the damage, but would make a difference.

He said: “This funding will make a difference. We know that highway defects are one of the biggest sources of dissatisfaction in the county.

“It is encouraging that Essex County Council has been awarded one of the largest shares of the £168 million Pothole Repair Fund announced by the Chancellor in March.

“This is another boost to the investment which Essex County Council itself is already putting in to improve roads, keep transport moving and ensure future economic growth and prosperity in the county.”