BOURNEMOUTH has been awarded a whopping £4.63 million to encourage people to walk and cycle.

The cash from the Department for Transport will be spent on improving infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, and encouraging people to ditch their cars, especially for short trips.

Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for environment and transport at the borough council, pictured, said: “It’s fantastic.

“It’s a triumph for the transport department but it’s also the beginning of the future.

“What happens at the moment is that research shows that many car journeys are of a short distance.

“We’re trying to encourage people to change their lifestyle and either walk, use a bike or take a bus. It gets people more healthy and reduces carbon emissions.

“The money is going to be used for better cycling infrastructure; it’s going to be used helping people who walk, with pelican crossings and zebra crossings.

“It’s a step into the future and it’s removing barriers to change.

“With this money we can encourage people to change and if we have safer routes to schools, that will really help.”

The money is part of a clutch of schemes across the South West given the green light by transport minister Norman Baker.

Mr Baker said: “The schemes we are funding will benefit those living in the South West by cutting carbon emissions, reducing congestion and stimulating economic growth in the area.

“By investing in these schemes we are signalling our commitment to green growth, which will help to kick-start economic activity in the region while improving access to healthier forms of transport and addressing the problem of climate change.”

The DfT said that for every £1 it was putting forward in grants, £1.19 was being contributed by local authorities and other partners.