The Administration of Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is to recommend an additional £2m of funding should be spent on roads maintenance in 2013-14.

It will make the proposal to members next week.

At the Council meeting, members will be asked to approve a total roads maintenance fund of more than £8m for the 2013 financial year. The roads maintenance and improvement programme will also be detailed in full for its members, along with planned works to be carried out to bridges and street lighting.

The Administration proposes to spend an additional £2m on roads maintenance and improvements over and above what was agreed as part of SBC's budget in February.

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Speaking about the Administration's proposals, Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure said: "This Council is committed to maintaining high quality roads in the Scottish Borders and we are all aware of the state of the roads following the recent severe winters and wet summers.

"I am delighted that we are able to come forward with an additional £2million of roads spending over and above what was agreed in our budget and this demonstrates the Administration's commitment to do what we can to invest in roads when finances become available. The programme of works throughout the Borders is a very comprehensive list of road maintenance and improvements, which will touch every part of our region."

As well as the additional £2.072m for roads maintenance, the Administration is also seeking agreement for an additional £86k to be spent on housing aids and adaptations, £75k for additional play area funding and £60k to take forward the development of artificial sports pitches in various Borders towns.

The Council will meet next Thursday when members will be asked to ratify the Administration's proposals.

(JP)