MORE than £16 million will be spent on Wrexham’s roads this year.

A report by Wrexham Council’s environment department outlines plans to invest £16.2 million in 20011/12 to ensure Wrexham’s existing highway structure is fit for purpose.

Wrexham Council will plough £2.5 million into the improvement works, while the rest of the funding will come from Taith Regional Transport Plan and the Welsh Assembly Government.

The money will be spent on various transport projects including access roads to Wrexham Industrial Estate, the creation of more safe routes in the communities, road safety engineering and resurfacing.

Following consecutive harsh winters which have left roads in a horrendous condition council bosses say they will continue to invest in resurfacing and repairing potholes.

A survey of the road network is currently being undertaken to assess the extent of the damage from the arctic conditions felt over the winter.

Council officer Darren Williams says in the report: “This year’s annual condition surveys are currently being undertaken the results of which will be used to inform next year’s priorities for capital expenditure on transport improvements. It is anticipated the impact of consecutive harsh winters will ensure that maintaining the integrity of the highways infrastructure will remain a priority for Wrexham in the future.”

In the previous financial year significant progress was made improving Wrexham’s roads.

The initiatives included £2million on road resurfacing, the replacement of 40 lighting columns, lighting units being replaced with low energy bulbs, safe routes implemented in Pentre Broughton, Tanyfron and Penycae, 20mph limits introduced outside eight schools and traffic signal safety improvements carried out an the A525/A483 intersection.

Council chiefs say they will continue to make progress on the roads in the current financial year.

The report will be presented to members of the council’s environment and regeneration scrutiny committee tomorrow.