Extra funding used to extend Herefordshire walking scheme

Herefordshire Council said the project was so successful it would fund an extension of it for another two years

Funding of attempts to get people in a county walking more has been extended for two years by a council.

The idea originally came from Herefordshire's one-off Citizens Climate Assembly in early 2022.

The previous county council administration then agreed to use £1.33m from the government to fund the Active Walking programme and 13 other climate-related measures.

The initial figure for the scheme was £44,770 but was increased to £87,000.

Asked about the higher figure, a council spokesperson said: "Due to the success of the project, this funding is to extend it for a further two years."

The project aimed to increase levels of walking for commuters, parents and schoolchildren across the county and would start again in spring, they added.

Activities will include a walk to school challenge, wildlife walks and Nordic walking courses.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.