ST Helens Council plans to invest almost £130,000 on improvements to walking and cycling routes from Haydock and Newton-le-Willows.

Last year the council accepted £4.2 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in the borough over the next four years.

The funding, known as the Sustainable Transport Enhancements Package (STEP), aims to support economic growth in the region.

St Helens’ allocation was earmarked for a number of projects, including the Active Travel East scheme, which will see improvements to walking and cycling routes from Haydock and Newton-le-Willows to key destinations such as railways stations, employment, retail and education.

Earlier this year, St Helens Council bid for a further £129,775 from the combined authority to deliver further improvement to the Active Travel East scheme, following an underspend on STEP schemes across the region.

This was approved by the combined authority in July and a delegated decision has now been taken by the council to accept the money.

The decision notice said: “Across the city region there has been an underspend on STEP schemes and funding has been returned to the combined authority.

“St Helens bid for £129,775 from this underspend to deliver additional improvements to its St Helens Active Travel East scheme which was successful and funding awarded.”