The North-East is to receive more than £360m over the next three years to spend on road and transport improvements, the Government has announced.

The cash is over and above that already allocated to a number of schemes such as the upgrade of large stretches of the A1(M) motorway.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said that as well as funding for major works provision was being made for the maintenance of local roads and smaller schemes such as bus lanes and shelters and cycleways.

Funding, from April 2005, will help pay for a number of major schemes, some of which are already underway or waiting approval subject to a public inquiry.

Schemes already approved include stage three of the South Stockton link and the A167 Chilton bypass in County Durham.

A number of major Highways Agency scheme will also be progressed using the funding such as improvements to sections of the A19 and the dualling of the A66.

Mr Darling said: "This funding will enable councils across the region to invest in the transport schemes needed to support their growing economies. "It will also help make local roads better and safer and public transport a more attractive and reliable alternative to the car.

"The announcement demonstrates the Government's continuing commitment to investing in local transport in the North-East."

The £360m cash allocation covers the first three years of the ten year Government investment plan for transport and additional allocations will be made in later years.