HIGHWAYS bosses have managed to spend a  £12m Government windfall for roads – despite being given just a few months to do so.

The unexpected extra cash for repairing potholes and roads maintenance was announced in late November and then handed over in January 2019.

But the cash from the Department for Transport came with strings attached that it had to be spent by the end of March.

It was originally feared that county council officials could struggle to get the works done because many road projects are hit by bad weather during winter.

But Cllr Keith Little, the council’s cabinet member for highways, has confirmed that the sum has been allocated to numerous repair projects.

He said: “Councillors will be aware that £12 million came into us in early January to be spent by the end of March.

“I am delighted to say that the money has been spent and over £700,000 of the works was delivered by council operational teams at what is a very busy time for us with our winter maintenance programme.”

“We did suffer some poor weather but I am delighted to report that the committed money was spent,” said Cllr Little, the Labour member for Maryport South.