£38m for new South East walkways and cycle lanes

The South East is to receive £38.4m to help councils build more walking, wheeling and cycling routes, the government has announced.

Part of a national £291m package, it is hoped the funding will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year across England and ease pressure on the NHS by promoting more active living.

The government said that by supporting local businesses and making it easier to walk and cycle to work the new infrastructure could add £9million to the economy annually.

A spokesperson said the aim is to "make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live".

The funding comes from Active Travel England (ATE), an executive agency which is part of the UK Department of Transport.

It is hoped the construction of more than 300 miles of new walkways and cycle lanes across the country will allow people to make 30 million more car and bus-free journeys each year.

Part of the Government's Plan for Change, the money will also go toward delivering safer crossings and junctions for all road users.

ATE is also publishing guidance to help local authorities ensure that residents and businesses are heard when designing and delivering transport changes in neighbourhoods.

Chris Boardman, national active travel commissioner said: "Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation's health, economy and get to net zero, all in one.

"This funding will help make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live."

Here's how funding allocation breaks down for local authorities in the South East:

Bracknell Forest Unitary Authority Unitary Authority - 328,953

Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority - 1,338,200

Buckinghamshire Unitary Authority - 2,688,938

East Sussex County Council - 1,437,298

Hampshire County Council - 6,809,787

Isle of Wight Unitary Authority - 370,251

Kent County Council - 7,644,281

Medway Unitary Authority - 735,376

Milton Keynes Unitary Authority - 757,383

Oxfordshire County Council - 3,518,360

Portsmouth Unitary Authority - 543,536

Reading Unitary Authority - 838,609

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Unitary Authority - 404,499

Slough Unitary Authority - 415,978

Southampton Unitary Authority - 1,197,384

Surrey County Council - 5,838,425

West Berkshire Unitary Authority - 425,376

West Sussex County Council - 2,325,895

Wokingham Unitary Authority - 862,817

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