PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has shown his support for town centre changes to encourage more people to cycle and walk.

Mr Johnson was visiting Hereford County Hospital today when he said that another £2 million had been approved to support cycling and walking schemes in the county.

He said motorists needed to learn to respect cyclists in Herefordshire.

The Prime Minister was asked about the council’s emergency town centre measures to encourage people to travel by foot and bike.

When asked if measures being enforced were appropriate for such a rural county where cycling into the market towns might be more difficult?

Mr Johnson said: “When I was mayor of London I used to cycle 30 miles a day easily.

“I think cycling is a fantastic thing to do. We have just put another £2 million into Herefordshire to support cycling and walking schemes.

“There is much more that we want to do. Where I agree with you that there is a paradox that cycling in rural areas on often quite fast A and B road can be scarier particularly for less confident cyclists.

“We need to think as we take forward our cycling revolution how we encourage people to cycle in rural areas as well.

“Motorists have got to understand there will be cyclists on the road and they’re not all lycra louts and they need to be treated with respect and caution.

“It’s about educating motorists as well.”