More than £1.2m being spent on county improvements

A new path laid in Standish Woods is among the works taking place

More than £1.2 million is being invested in a pair of Gloucestershire projects aimed at improving a county's byways and restoring a scheduled monument.

One, costing £516,000, will see access improved to six public rights of way that join the Cotswold Way National Trail.

The other will cost £700,000 - and will lead to the restoration of drystone wall and ramparts on Crickley Hill.

The money is coming from National Highways' Environment and Wellbeing Fund, and the National Trust will run the projects.

Around 1.5km of drystone wall is being restored on Crickley Hill in Gloucestershire

National Highways says the project will restore important features of the Cotswold landscape, including a new path at Standish Woods.

Jess Dudley, Designated Funds Project Manager at National Highways, said: "The investment underlines our commitment to reducing the impact of our roads on the environment, which will offer many benefits to local people and visitors."

Jonny Loose, General Manager for the Cotswolds at the National Trust, said: “We’re working our way through the improvements to the Rights of Way network to ensure more people can get out and enjoy these areas and we look forward to sharing more about these projects as they progress.”