The controversial scrapping of a high-speed railway in the north of England will benefit motorists in two East Hampshire villages.

The government has reallocated some of the funding from the ‘Network North’ HS2 scheme to 19 county council projects.

The projects include resurfacing schemes with the A272 through Stroud and Headley Road in Grayshott getting the green light for repairs during the coming financial year.

Hampshire County Council has been given two payments worth a total £8.5million for 2023-2025, with the funds being ring-fenced for the maintenance of roads, pavements, cycleways and bridges.

Cllr Russell Oppenheimer, who represents Stroud on the county council, said he was “delighted” to see the A272 Winchester Road is on the project list, as he believes the work will make the surface “more resilient” and will improve drainage.

Cllr Nick Adams-King, HCC cabinet lead for universal services, said the government funding will allow the council to “accelerate the delivery” of 19 large resurfacing and repair schemes, in addition to work already planned for the coming year.

He said: “In common with most other local highway authorities across the country, we are experiencing unprecedented numbers of issues on our local roads which, combined with rising costs, means we are having to do more with less available money.

“These improvements will make the sites more resilient to the impacts of extreme weather, helping to prevent the recurrence of potholes and other defects. In addition, we are also investing more of our own budget into road repairs.”