Cycling, wheeling and walking schemes given £133m

Local authorities across the South East have been given more than £133m to deliver cycling, wheeling and walking schemes.

The biggest councils across Surrey, Sussex and Kent have been awarded a share of this pot, which is part of a £626m national package announced as part of the government's Spending Review in June.

Sophie Gordon, campaigns manager at Guildford charity Cycling UK, said this level of investment was a "no-brainer".

"For every £1 spent on cycling and walking schemes in the UK, you get nearly £6 back in benefits," she said.

The full allocation breakdown has been published by Active Travel England, a government agency which wants more local journeys to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030.

Surrey County Council (SCC) has been awarded £19,800,132, while Medway Council has received £1,727,695. A total of £25,924,411 has been allocated to Kent County Council (KCC).

West Sussex and East Sussex County Council have been given £5,464,466 and £3,376,793 respectively, with Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) awarded £4,538,302.

The funding has all been allocated over a four-year period.

Active Travel England has also ranked the local authorities according to their ability to deliver active travel schemes.

Higher-rated councils, including SCC, KCC and BHCC, have received greater proportions of capital funding while the lower scoring authorities will be given training to improve this ability.

The £626m national package is enough to deliver 500 miles (804km) of new and upgraded footpaths and cycle track across England.

Ms Gordon said this resulted in a "significantly lower" cost when compared with building new roads.

Transport minister Lilian Greenwood added: "By backing councils with the funding and support they need, we are helping to create healthier communities, safer streets and greener local transport choices."

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