Hertfordshire has been awarded £6.4 million by the Department for Transport to further develop its green travel network.

The funding comes after a successful bid by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) for a share of the second  phase of the Active Travel Fund grant.

The grant supports local authorities to  create safer, easier-to-use spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as reducing the increased pressure on public transport as a result of social distancing guidelines associated with the coronavirus  pandemic.https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/widgets/established/localIssues

The first phase of funding, £1.25  million – allocated to Hertfordshire in June – enabled the county council to implement a range of temporary active travel projects.

These included temporary cycle lanes, closures of road sections to through traffic, new cycle parking and upgrading of temporary measures to allow for social distancing in town and city centres across the county.

The additional funds will go towards implementing further cycling and walking improvements, as well as upgrading some of the temporary measures to permanent installations.

Phil Bibby, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “These improvements will encourage and empower many more people to travel in an active and environmentally friendly way, which in turn will deliver significant long-term benefits to the health and well-being of our residents and reduce our impact on the environment.

“We want everyone in Hertfordshire to be able to walk and cycle safely, and this important investment will allow the development of further access for all, helping to make the county more sustainable and ready for the future.”