GWENT councils are set to receive an extra £2million in Assembly funding to help cover the cost of the most recent big freeze.

The additional funding boost was announced by deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones yesterday and is aimed to help local authorities deal with urgent road repairs and refill salt stock levels.

Caerphilly Council will receive the most money in Gwent, with a £730,794 boost, Newport Council will receive £489,502, Monmouthshire Council is allocated £464,159, £304,459 will go to Torfaen Council and £270,237 to Blaenau Gwent Council, bringing the total Gwent allocation to £2,359,151.

Mr Jones said: “All across Wales we have recently experienced some exceptionally cold weather with heavy snow which has put unexpected pressures on local authorities’ budgets.

“Councils’ salt supplies were severely diminished and potholes have developed on many roads. This new money will help councils across the country repair their roads and re-stock their salt supplies.

“Despite councils throughout Wales increasing salt stocks in advance of the winter season, the severity and duration of the exceptionally cold weather combined with the heavy snowfall had a significant impact on salt reserves.

He added that the Assembly worked with councils to provide a “coordinated response” to ensure routine replenishment of salt and grit supplies and deliveries of salt were continuing to build up the stock levels.

Councils across Wales will receive a total of £8million extra funding to help recover from the frosty conditions.

The money is in addition to the £5million capital road maintenance grant councils have received from the Assembly to maintain the road networks and the £7million announced last week to fix potholes.