EXTRA cash has been secured by a North-East council considered among the top 25 per cent of local transport authorities in the country.

Durham County Council has been awarded more than £17m for its 2003/4 local transport settlement by the Government.

It follows the council's improved performance, from "average" to "above average" in the Government's scoring system.

The final settlement figure includes more than £1m to complete the dualling of the A689 from Sedgefield to Wynyard and an additional £1.5m to reflect the council's "good performance to date".

Further funding is also pledged for other important road projects in the county, including the proposed Durham City park-and-ride scheme, the Wheatley Hill-Bowburn improvement and the long-awaited Chilton bypass.

Chris Tunstall, the council's director of environment and technical services, said: "It is very encouraging that we are now among the top 25 per cent of transport authorities in the country.

"Our efforts have earned us an extra £1.5m in funding, which will be used to continue the work we have carried out in developing a better and more integrated transport system."

The council was informed of its higher scoring rating and increased funding in a letter from the Government Office North-East.

Copies of the progress report are available in all County Durham libraries, as well as at County Hall and district council offices.

The report can also be accessed through the council website, on www.durham.gov.uk.