A MASSIVE £28m is to be spent improving the road network across Barnsley with many of the most dilapidated roads resurfaced, the leader of the council told the Chronicle this week.

Sir Steve Houghton said a list of roads deemed to be the worst and in most need of attention had been drawn up by highways officials, but a process of opening up consultation with councillors was about to start next month.

“We’re going to be speaking in detail with local members to see if they agree, and to see what they believe the priorities are,” he said.

The harsh winter and so-called Beast From The East saw extensive snow and ice put extra pressure on the highway network, creating thousands of potholes on some of the borough’s already tired road surfaces.

“We have listened to people’s concerns and we have looked closely at where the problems are, but we are doing this in full consultation with local members who have local knowledge of the issues,” he said.

Sir Steve said roads already earmarked for resurfacing included the Dodworth bypass and Staincross Common.

The funding was initially going to be £22m, including government grant and the council’s own highways budget, but the council decided to add an extra £6m to tackle as many dilapidated roads and some pavements as possible.