Lancashire receives £23m cycling and walking boost

Councils in Lancashire have been awarded nearly £24m in government funding to help them provide walking and cycling schemes.

The bulk of the funding - £20,299,711 - goes to Lancashire County Council. Blackburn with Darwen gets £2,544,323 while Blackpool receives £870,000.

The money, from the government's Active Travel Fund, will be spent on building new footpaths and cycle tracks in an effort to create healthier communities and safer streets.

National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said the aim of the four-year programme was to "give people more everyday choice in how they get around, by creating safe, accessible and welcoming streets".

Former Olympic champion cyclist Boardman added: "We are not just building infrastructure.

"Together, we are creating communities: places where parents feel confident letting children travel independently, and where older people can reach local shops with ease. We are building life back into our streets."

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

Other authorities in the north-west of England to receive funding are:

• Cheshire East £6,577,971
• Cheshire West and Chester £5,874,580
• Greater Manchester £35,419,725
• Liverpool City Region £12,742,158

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