COUNTY chiefs have welcomed praise from the government for their ideas to improve transport.

The Department of the Environment described Lancashire County Council's plans for the next five years as "well considered and in accordance with government policy".

Lancashire will be spending almost £30 million in the next 12 months maintaining and improving the county's transport infrastructure. It is the first of five years covered by the county's Local Transport Plan.

Highways chairman Richard Toon said: "The government are in tune with what we are trying to achieve and have given us funds to tackle the backlog in road maintenance created by years of under-investment. We can now press ahead with plans for more quality bus routes, new bus stations and road safety schemes. Greener transport such as cycling, walking and car-sharing will also be boosted by this new cash."

A total of £16.63million has been allocated to road and bridge maintenance, and as well as new bus stations in Burnley and Chorley, £1.6million will go on safety schemes and £1.2million to reduce road casualties.