A £1.1m Assembly grant to help tackle a backlog of essential road works and repairs is merely a drop in the ocean, a county councillor has said.

Colin Evans, chairman of the scrutiny committee for environment, said the extra cash is welcome but more money is needed to tackle the £31m backlog.

A further £3 million is also needed to carry out improvements to Carmarthenshire's footways, £12 million for bridge strengthening and £12.8 million for street lighting - giving a total backlog of £58.8 million.

Councillor Evans said: "When we put it into context the cash is merely a drop in the ocean.

"The authority has a massive job ahead to carry out all of the repairs throughout Carmarthen-shire."

It is hoped that the cash will be used to improve the bridge at Tircoed Road, Glanaman, and pay for the introduction of traffic calming measures at Glyn Moch flats and Cwmaman Road.

"Just before Christmas a Polish lorry driver got stuck on the Tircoed Bridge and had to spend the night at one of my constituents' house," said councillor Evans.

"I am hoping that we could address this issue on this bridge and other bridges with weight restrictions throughout Carmar-thenshire."

It is estimated that £140 million is needed to bring the highways infrastructure in Wales up to scratch.

As a result, the Welsh Assembly has provided an extra £15 million to local authorities to help deal with the backlog.

The cash forms part of the transport budget and has been allocated in the form of a grant.

Carmarthenshire has been awarded a total of £1,103, 438.

Welcoming the money, council head of street scene Phil Williams said: "The Welsh Assembly grant will help to reduce this backlog in the county and improve the highways network."

Since 2002, an additional £3 million has been invested by the county council on carriageway/footway related repair works in Carmarthenshire.

Capital funding of £800,000 has been earmarked for 2007/08, with £785,000 allocated for 2008/09.