MORE than £5million could be earmarked to improve Worcestershire's cycling provision and infrastructure next year.

The county council's Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel is recommending the investment as part of the 2018/19 budget, which will be decided in February.

Chairman of the committee Cllr Alastair Adams said the Highways budget should have £10 per head specially ringfenced for cycling measures.

Cllr Adams said: “Cycling is growing in this county and more and more people are taking part in it.

“It’s also part of the solution to many issues - it’s a healthy activity, and people who cycle to the railway station to commute to work are not all searching for a parking space.

"There is some really good work being done by quite vocal cycling groups across the county and we should be supporting this.

“I think that a ringfenced budget of £10 per person would be a good start.”

That suggestion has attracted support from cycling campaign group PushBike! Worcestershire.

Spokesman Mike Cooper said: “The proposal from Cllr. Adams and members of the panel for a dedicated budget for cycling facilities and infrastructure, equivalent to a minimum of £10 per annum per head of population, is welcome news for an area which, at present, has less than £1 per person being invested.

“Such funding is essential to create direct, well designed and safe routes from dormitory locations to town/city centres, to schools, places of employment and to provide facilities such as secure parking, thereby generating more journeys by bicycle, reducing congestion and vehicle pollution and supporting the local economy."

Ken Pollock, Cabinet member with responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, said: "It is important to acknowledge the many benefits that walking and cycling routes bring to the county as a whole, including improvements to health and wellbeing.

"Whilst Worcestershire County Council are fully committed to both current and future investment in walking and cycling, this investment must continue to be appropriate and affordable, as set out in our Corporate Plan."