EAST Lancashire’s two highways authorities are to get almost £4million to promote walking and cycling in response to coronavirus.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough will get £385,000 from the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, with £77,000 for urgent measures.

Lancashire County Council – responsible for roads in Hyndburn, Burnley, Ribble Valley, Pendle and Rossendale – will receive a total of £3.5m. with an initial instalment of £700,000.

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s highways boss, said: “This funding will allow us to bring in some immediate and longer-term improvements.

“We will promote existing cycle routes, install new signage and make cycle-safe improvements to junctions. We will then develop a longer-term strategic plan that will deliver projects such as extending existing routes, pop-up cycleways and storage improvements.”

His county councillor counterpart Cllr Keith Iddon said: “We will be looking at how to make best use of the funding. We have an ongoing programme of investment to improve our cycling and walking infrastructure. We’re currently looking at proposals we hope to be able to bring in very quickly.”