£41m for cycling and walking routes in region

Ten councils are set to benefit from the money for safer paths and routes

The north-west of England will receive £41.6m to build more walking and cycling routes, the government has said.

The money will help 10 councils in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire "deliver high quality cycle tracks and footpaths as well as safer crossings and junctions for all road users".

It is part of a national £291m package from Active Travel England (ATE) which will allow the construction of more than 300 miles (483 km) of new walkways and cycle lanes across the country.

National Active Travel Commissioner, Hoylake cyclist Chris Boardman said the funding would help make towns and cities "happier, healthier and greener places to live".

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: "The more people we can persuade to leave the car at home, the more we will make the traffic flow and the roads better for everyone."

Mr Boardman and Mr Lightwood are visiting Greater Manchester, where the government said active travel policies had been "hugely successful".

Hoylake cyclist Chris Boardman and Andy Burnham encourage people to leave their cars at home

A recent report by Transport for Greater Manchester found infrastructure upgrades were encouraging more people to walk or cycle with the number of people walking short journeys now at 57%, compared to 52% five years ago.

Minister for Local Transport Simon Lightwood said: "We're making sure local authorities can deliver high-quality and easily accessible schemes for everyone."

The following North West local authorities are benefitting from the funding:

• Blackburn with Darwen Unitary Authority - £750,240

• Blackpool Unitary Authority - £370,422

• Cheshire East Unitary Authority - £1,052,574

• Cheshire West and Chester Unitary Authority - £1,732,225

• Cumberland Council - £1,326,001

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority - £20,836,070

• Lancashire County Council - £5,985,736

• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority - £7,514,511

• Warrington Unitary Authority - £1,022,907

• Westmorland and Furness Council - £1,099,320.