Plans by Gloucestershire County Council to deliver a 26-mile 'cycle spine' from Stroud to Bishops Cleeve have been given a further boost.

The council has been granted an Active Travel Fund award from the Department of Transport (DfT) for £8.265 million.

This is one of the largest settlements awarded by the DfT, which reflects the amount of positive work carried out by the county council in developing the cycle spine.

The council has been awarded £5,365,000 of Active Travel Funding. This is in addition to £2,900,000 secured in a previous round of funding, making a total of £8,265,000 to invest into cycling and walking infrastructure.

The county council says it is committed to tackling climate change and creating a Greener Gloucestershire and this investment in cycling and walking infrastructure will help it work towards these goals along with improving access to homes, employment, education and transport hubs.

Increased walking and cycling will improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions from transport, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of residents.

The planned cycle spine extends from Stroud to Bishops Cleeve and will pass through Gloucester and Cheltenham, creating a substantial cycling and walking network through the county.

Funding has already been committed to a new flagship walking and cycling route along the B4063, linking Gloucester to Cheltenham. Work has been progressing well, with the first phase between Arle Court roundabout and M5 Overbridge, Staverton, completed.

The latest funding award will include community involvement in the development of the schemes and will be used to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in the following areas:

• £5.365million - Estcourt Road Roundabout to Elmbridge Court Roundabout (spread over three phases)
• £1.8million - Estcourt Road Roundabout to Gloucester Docks
• £1.1million - Cheltenham to Bishops Cleeve

It comes in addition to £14.1 million in active travel funding awarded to the county council by the DfT last year from the previous active travel funding allocation, to support the Gloucester Cycle Spine and the Cheltenham to Bishops Cleeve walking and cycling route.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: "It's brilliant news that the Department for Transport has made this award to Gloucestershire. It will help the council to deliver key sections of our ambitious 26-mile cycle spine for the county.

"The award is recognition of the council's record of not only planning but delivering such sustainable transport schemes. It is another major step towards realising our vision for a greener and healthier future for our residents by providing sustainable options for active travel."