CYCLE facilities in Dorset are in line for a cash boost after the government announced plans to spend £62million promoting cycling.

Dorset will receive £130,000 to upgrade a bridleway and create a traffic-free cycleway route from Trickett’s Cross to Bournemouth Airport.

And £495,000 will be spent creating 258 new cycle parking spaces at 11 railway stations across the south, including Bournemouth, Brockenhurst, Christchurch,. Southampton Airport Parkway and Weymouth.

Sue McGowan, management engineer for Dorset County Council, said the bridleway improvements would encourage commuters to cycle rather than drive.

“We are upgrading the surface and widening it in some parts,” he said.

“We want to provide a better route to link the local communities of Tricketts Cross and Ferndown with the airport and its adjacent business park, so that people can cycle to work more easily. The work will be managed by our rights of way team and will be delivered as part of the Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Local Transport Plan.”

Transport minister Norman Baker said it is the biggest ever allocation of cycling funds.

“We are serious about cycling, as this latest wave of funding shows,” he said.

“We have already seen how schemes can quickly deliver economic and environmental benefits as well as improving public health.

“Anyone who rides a bike will know it is important to keep the impetus going and this record level of funding will provide a shot in the arm to cycling in England.”

This map shows Trickett's Cross and Bournemouth Airport