Walton and Leatherhead cycle lanes get £1.6m boost

The county council wants to see segregated cycle routes across Surrey

Cycle lanes are to be built in two towns after Surrey County Council received a £1.6m cash boost.

The paths in Walton and Leatherhead will separate cyclists, drivers and pedestrians and take riders safely through junctions, the authority said.

The funds come from a £40m Department for Transport fund to improve safety of cyclists across the UK.

The council said it wanted to encourage people to cycle and boost the economy by reducing congestion on roads.

Trevor Pugh, strategic director for environment and infrastructure, said: "We want to see a new generation of segregated cycle routes that not only radically reduce the risk to current riders, but which also make cycling an option to the large numbers of people who may want to ride a bike, but who fear mixing with busy traffic."

He said the council could not achieve this overnight but the government cash took the authority further in the right direction.

The two new lanes will provide routes through two busy shopping and business areas of Surrey and make it safer for children to cycle to school, he said.

The £984,000 Walton scheme will create cycle paths to the north and south of the Thames on both sides of the road, and will link with the cycle path on Walton Bridge.

The £600,000 Leatherhead scheme will link the town to Ashtead, connecting both town centres and helping cyclists and pedestrians on the road dividing the towns.