An extra £5million is set to be invested in boosting Leicestershire's roads and environment, the county council announced today (Monday).

And there will be a chance for you to tell your county councillor how the money might be spent in your area.

The cash is to be ploughed into maintenance – including road repairs, looking after verges, cleaning signs, emptying drains and gullies, refurbishing bus stops and improving rights of way - and into more flashing signs, supporting average speed cameras and other measures to deter speeding motorists.

It also includes a £25,000 pot for every county councillor, enabling residents to get involved in influencing the improvements they want to see where they live.

It could be used for a wide range of options, such as flashing signs to reduce speeding, flower beds and benches, as well as minor road repairs and freshening up signs and lines.

Residents would be able to talk to their county councillor and help shape how the funding is spent in their area.

North West Leicestershire district councillor Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "These proposals are a welcome boost.

"Our roads and pavements are at the heart of our communities so it's important we invest.

"And we know the impact speeding drivers can have on residents.

"By further supporting our average speed camera work and bringing in more signs to combat speeding drivers, we can make a real difference.

"This is also about improving green spaces in our communities.

"Planting flower beds and protecting verges not only adds to an area's visual appeal but would also boost our efforts to tackle climate change as well as protect and enhancing biodiversity.

"Importantly, this plan would enable residents to get involved in shaping their community. Every area has different challenges and by working with their county councillor, residents could tailor improvements to tackle different issues."

The £5m investment includes:

• £2.2m for highway maintenance – managing grass verges, improving road signs and lines, revamping bus stops, improving accessibility to our rights of way
• £1m to cut speeding in communities - flashing signs, traffic calming and supporting our average speed camera work
• £1.4m to boost local areas – smaller scale improvements that enhance communities