BROMSGROVE Liberal Democrats have expressed their disappointment the grant awarded to Worcestershire County Council to improve walking and cycling routes was only half what it applied for.
The authority bid for £271,000 from the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund to target key commuter pathways which need enhancing.
But it only received £135,500.
Josh Robinson, Bromsgrove Lib Dem Chair and a frequent cyclist criticised the plans, describing them as not being as ambitious as they could be, with the route between Redditch and Bromsgrove being the only local area to receive enhancements.
He added: “This is extremely disappointing, the Government asked councils to be ambitious with their plans but it looks like we are one of those unambitious councils that were moaned about.
“We have missed out on thousands of pounds of money to improve walking and cycling in our area because our
Conservative led county council has put in such a poor bid.”
Coun Alan Amos, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said when the cash was announced: “The county council wholeheartedly supports active travel, and support all forms of transport.
“Improving our road network goes hand in hand with improving our cycling network, and remains one of our key priorities.
“This funding from central Government will allow us to continue the progress we’ve already made in this area.”
