LIVERPOOL'S footways are set to receive a £1.3m boost over the next three years-more than doubling the amount currently spent on them.

The funding -which will be aimed at bringing the poorest pavements up to standard - is part of a Local Public Service Agreement between the City Council and the Government to improve services.   

Under the terms of the agreement, the Department for Transport will provide funding for footway improvements if targets are met.

The Council's Executive Board is being asked to authorise borrowing for the works, which will be refunded if targets are achieved.

It is intended to improve an extra 57,000 square metres of footways across the city. This is in addition to the four kilometres per year which have been improved over the past three years. Currently the city spends £350,000 a year on this work. The city has about 2,275km of footway to maintain in total.

Work will take place throughout the city and a programme where improvements will be prioritised is being drawn up.

Recycled material will be used wherever possible and appropriate materials will be used in conservation areas.

Lib Dem Cllr Peter Millea, Executive Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: " We have made  a lot of improvements in the last few years on the state of our footways.

"However we have still some way to go before we match other cities' performance and this additional funding can make a real impact in bringing our footways up to an acceptable standard."

This issue will be considered by the Executive Board on 19 January.