An extra £281,000 has been set aside to cure the pothole menace in Essex.

The A127 has been singled out for particular attention as well as various footpaths across the county.

County councillor Ray Howard, (Con, Canvey West), said: "Our footways need urgent attention and there never seems to be enough money to go around for these roads.

"The A127 needs desperate maintenance care. As a result, the highways committee has put £281,000 extra aside for special maintenance on all roads across the county."

The Liberal and Labour parties at County Hall asked for the money to be spent on recycling initiatives but their plea was overruled.

Mr Howard said: "We felt that we already put enough money into our waste budget.

"We spend £16 million a year on disposing of waste and promoting recycling. We felt that we had to get our priorities right.

"The roads are in a desperate state and need urgent maintenance."

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