Almost £400,000 is to be spent providing safe walking and cycling routes in Pembroke Dock.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been awarded £377,000 Safe Routes in Communities funding by the Welsh Government to develop walking and cycling routes in the Bush Street area of the town.

The money will be spent on new and improved shared-use paths, safe crossings and traffic calming measures to encourage people to travel to school and work without using their cars.

The bid involved the whole community, including staff and pupils of Pembroke Dock Community School, the Youth Centre, resident groups and local businesses.

A working group, which included Pembrokeshire County Council and the town council, highlighted measures and prioritised proposals.

Clr. Sue Perkins, cabinet member for safeguarding and children's services and councillor for Llanion, welcomed the funding.

"Any moves towards encouraging people to walk or cycle more in their communities - in particular children travelling to and from school - are to be welcomed," she stated.

"This grant will be a great benefit to the community, with works starting shortly on measures to be introduced. Well done to all involved "

The Safe Routes in Communities initiative is focused on encouraging local residents to walk or cycle within the community by making it more practical and attractive while improving road safety at the same time. Not only does it benefit the environment, but it has positive benefits for health.

A second package of measures to encompass the rest of Pembroke Dock is now being developed by the county council's transport team.