Essex has been handed £1.9 million to transform the way people can walk and cycle in a post-lockdown world.

The first tranche of a multi-million government funding package will help Essex County Council to enhance current cycle lanes and pavements and create new ones.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of ECC, said: “This is a real opportunity for people to change the areas where they live by improving the air quality and getting healthier. With the lockdown so many people have commented how much quieter areas are and how much fresher the air smells.

“While I absolutely recognise that many people will have to use their cars in the future, this is opportunity for people to think hard before they drive and ask themselves the question, can I walk or cycle? Our job is to make that as easy as we can given the size of the county.

“We have a responsibility to provide adequate physical distance in town and city centres to maintain social distancing and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“The government’s advice is that people who can work from home should continue to do so and we will continue to remind employers of this.

“At the same time, for people who have no choice but to travel to work, journeys both on public transport and by car need to be managed and footways and cycle ways need to be safe and accommodate social distancing."