REPAIR work to flood-damaged roads in Kent has received a boost following Government approval for a £5.3m loan.

Gravesham and Dartford stand to benefit after submitting estimated road repair costs for flood damage earlier this year.

Estimates were £260,000 in Gravesham and £300,000 in Dartford.

Gravesham MP Chris Pond said: “I'm delighted the Government has decided to make more than £5m available to Kent to help tackle flood damage to its highways.”

Funds are yet to be allocated, according to Kent County Council's Chairman of the Highways' Advisory Board Grahame Weston, who “cautiously welcomed” the Government's announcement.

Mr Weston said he is pleased Kent received most of the £6m it applied for but Kent residents would have to foot the balance.

Refuting the government's claim the money is a gift, he said it is only approved, as supplementary credit, an amount the council can borrow.

He said: “Every penny of it has to be repaid from council tax. Although we are glad to have it, it is a loan.”

Flood-damaged road repairs will be costly. The council redirected £1.5m of last year's budget towards repairs.

Mr Weston said: “Road repairs are quite definitely a priority in our budgets for next year.”