Families must pay a city-wide road tax from April to patch up pot-holed roads.

The 10p a week levy which will raise almost half-a-million pounds is part of a two per cent increase in council tax narrowly approved by Milton Keynes Council on Tuesday.

Ruling Liberal Democrats say the highways budget is
under pressure and residents are calling for urgent action to fix "hundreds of potholes" across the borough.

A section of the A509 between Newport Pagnell and the M1 had to be closed for repairs because it was so severely damaged.

Council leader Councillor Sam Crooks warned of a sharp slow-down in the face of huge cuts in government cash.

The council must make £10 million annual savings in each of the next three years assuming there will be no increase in the government grant that makes up 75 per cent of the council's income.

There would be "massive challenges" to boost education and care, and fund public transport and other services.

Councillors approved the budget by just two votes, with Labour abstaining.

Opposition Tory leader Councillor Andrew Geary accused the Lib Dems of "tragically" missing an opportunity to bring a fresh approach to funding of services.

Lib Dems attacked the Tories for failing to table an alternative budget, but Mr Geary said Conservative proposals previously had been cast aside and their "principles and ideals" would now be reserved for when the Tories took power.

Labour councillor Roger Bristow urged an appeal to Government to fund repairs to bridges and infrastructure.