There will be "almost no money" in the next four years to deliver new rural walking and cycling routes across Somerset due to grant funding restrictions.
Somerset Council's executive committee met in Taunton on Wednesday morning (March 11) to approve its local transport plan, which includes a wide range of commitments on both highway improvements and the delivery of active travel projects.
The council has committed nearly £16m of capital funding towards delivering new active travel projects up to 2030, with much of the funding coming from Active Travel England (part of the Department for Transport) or through contributions from housing developments.
But of this funding, just under £1.6m has been set aside for new or improved routes in rural areas.
Councillor Bob Filmer (Conservative, Brent) said that further investment in rural walking and cycling was urgently needed to cut congestion on rural roads. He said.
"We hear about how public health is benefited by active travel, and this is important in rural areas.
"I know there are limitations with the funding, but we need to push as much as we can.
"We're constantly telling people they need to get out of their cars, for good environmental reasons and good health reasons - but if we haven't given them the alternatives, they can't do it."
Bob Filmer's division includes the proposed Berrow Greenway between Berrow and Burnham-on-Sea, which was identified as a key priority within the Burnham and Highbridge local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP).
