WORCESTER'S MP has hailed the city's cycling renaissance - saying years of big investments are finally reaping rewards.

Robin Walker has also secured assurances from the Government that more money will be made available for cities and towns which see cycling as a serious solution for cutting congestion.

Over the last decade millions has been spent on improving Worcester's cycling infrastructure, including the new Diglis bridge and the revamped riverside loop.

As well as those investments, the county council has carved out new cycle lanes on routes across the city, and refreshed many that had become worn.

Mr Walker mentioned the improvements in the House of Commons, saying Worcester has come a long way in recent years.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill responded by saying the Government intends to offer more funding to areas looking to make further commitments.

The next stage in Worcester's development could be the joint university-city council project to turn the disused viaduct running along the railway bridge into a new 'green' path for cycling and pedestrians.

The project, known as the Green Skywalk, was also mentioned by My Walker.

He said: "In Worcester we see a great deal of investment in cycling and sustainable transport.

"We have a new bridge across the river, and a good riverside loop that can be used for cycling.

"The next stage, potentially, will be a high walk, which is being promoted by our university.

"That could be a real breakthrough in terms of sustainable transport in Worcester."

Mr Goodwill said the Government is keen to provide funding for more improvements, saying a set of new targets have been drawn up for per-head spending on sustainable transport.

"Our ambition is to work with local government and businesses to explore how we can achieve a minimum funding package equivalent of £10 per person each year by 2020-21, and sooner if possible," he said.

"We want to see the number of journeys by bike double in 10 years, and we want to see a significant increase in the number of children walking or cycling to school.

"Our target is to reach 55 per cent of five to 10-year-olds usually walking to school."