EMERGENCY funding has been announced for pop-up cycling lanes during the coronavirus crisis.

The Government is offering more than £700,000 to West Sussex County Council to provide safe spaces for cyclists and walkers during the pandemic.

The council says schemes will largely be temporary and will include pop-up lanes and some road closures, but the changes may “evolve into permanent ones”.

The new lanes will promote cycling and walking as a replacement for journeys in areas which, until the Covid-19 crisis, were heavily used by public transport, especially for short journeys.

Roger Elkins, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said: “This initial funding is welcome news and will boost provision for safe space cycling and walking in the county.

“We hope to make further announcements on funding for both walking and cycling provision in the county once we have details of second tranche funding."

The Department for Transport wants to see all proposals by Friday so it can decide if they are suitable for funding. 

The £784,000 may be clawed back should schemes not be started within four weeks of allocation.

Roger said: “Since May 9, our officers have been working hard, liaising with our district and borough council partners to draw up a list of priority schemes and we have commissioned consultants to start to develop these into workable designs that can be implemented.

“Many of these potential schemes have been drawn from Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans that have been developed across the county.

“Now we know the level of initial funding, we can accelerate those schemes which best fit the Department for Transport’s criteria for the emergency measures.”