Major funding boost to improve walking and cycling routes in Derby

Derby is to benefit from a major funding boost to upgrade walking and cycling routes, the Government has announced.

Active Travel Fund grants will help to deliver 12 projects across the East Midlands aimed at building new footpaths, cycle tracks and making streets safer around schools.

Derby City Council has been awarded £1.4million while Derbyshire County Council is getting just over £3m.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "We want to make sure everyone across the country can choose cheaper, greener and healthier travel, while we continue to support our high streets and local businesses.

"This investment will improve road safety, ease congestion across the East Midlands and on public transport, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of the millions of people."

The £200m nationwide scheme, which was announced in February, promises to fund 121 miles of new cycle track, 77 miles of new footpaths and improve street safety near 130 schools.

Recently, Derby became one of the latest cities to launch a Lime e-bike rental scheme in a bid to encourage more cycling.

Chris Boardman, National Active Travel commissioner, said: "By giving millions of people the freedom of choice to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday trips, this funding will help us improve public health, tackle climate change and give hundreds of thousands of children the independence to travel safely under their own steam.

"Now our focus is working with councils to get these schemes built swiftly.

"We'll be working together to ensure the projects are well designed and effective so that they bring maximum benefits to communities and help improve lives nationwide."