WIDER walkways and one-way streets are among a number of temporary measures being looked at to allow people to social distance while travelling.

This will be paid for by an Emergency Active Travel Grant of up £805,000 given to Cheshire West and Chester Council by the Government.

This comes after transport secretary Grant Shapps announced a £2 billion package to support active travel and help the country emerge from the coronavirus crisis at the beginning of May.

The Guardian has been contacted by residents asking what temporary emergency measures the council will be implementing to safeguard people who are due to return to work.

And after putting this to the council, Cllr Karen Shore, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said that it is fully committed to helping people maintain a safe social distance while travelling.

The council says it has worked closely with cycling groups, residents, local councillors and partners to develop a full programme of temporary, pop-up measures.

These include footpath extensions, one-way streets, removing through traffic on certain roads, adding extra cycle lanes and removing street clutter at pinch points.

“As a long-term champion for active travel, I am really heartened to see so many people choosing cycling and walking over cars wherever possible,” said Cllr Shore.

“There has been a dramatic fall in traffic volumes across the borough, with walking and cycling having played an increasingly important role.

“These trends have also led to congestion almost being eliminated and significant drop in pollution.

“Encouraging the sustained use of active modes of transport will form part of our recovery plans while supporting the ambition to be carbon neutral.

“The council is fully committed to creating enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists across the borough to help keep their distance for safe journeys and exercise.

“I want to thank all the cycling and walking groups who have contacted me from across the borough for their ideas and patience in us bringing these schemes forward.”

The council says that this funding announcement means that viable schemes can start to be implemented as early as this week.

An online tool will be launched shortly to gather further suggestions, but in the meantime, ideas can be emailed to transportstrategy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Employees who want to start cycling to work but do not have a bike are being directed to explore the cyclescheme.co.uk, through which workers can save between 25 and 39 per cent on the cost of a new bike.

Those who have an old bike in the shed will soon be able to take advantage of a voucher scheme for bike repairs and maintenance, which is being planned by the Government.