COUNCIL chiefs in Worcestershire are going to bid for fresh Government money to try and ease congestion, it has emerged.

Worcestershire County Council says it intends to go cap-in-hand to Whitehall over a new £60 million fund aimed at easing gridlock in Britain's towns and cities.

At the start of July the Department for Transport launched a new 'Sustainable Travel Access Fund' kitty, which will dish out cash to areas looking to invest in cycling and walking outside London.

Councils are being asked to work together on bids if possible, and contribute 10 per cent of their scheme's costs.

The Conservative leadership at County Hall has revealed how it will make a bid before the deadline closes in September.

It follows years of dismay about congestion in areas like Worcester, with the closure of Perdiswell park and ride in 2014 and serious bus cuts.

High levels of pollution in Lowesmoor, where access to vehicles has been reduced after grime breached EU legal limits, and developments like London Road's new Waitrose have also sparked worry.

Councillor Marcus Hart, the cabinet member for highways, said: "We have until September 9th to submit a bid.

"The content (of the council's bid) is currently nil as we haven't submitted our bid yet, so it's too early at this stage to say what it'll say in full.

"But we're currently consulting on the next stage of the local transport plan which should help inform this process, and then I together with officers and colleagues will be working up a bid submission before the deadline."

The opposition Labour group has been highly critical of the public transport reductions.

Opposition Labour group leader Councillor Peter McDonald said: "People are fed up of the cuts."

The Government says the fund will be encouraging councils to devise sustainable transport initiatives which can "improve access to jobs, skills, training and education".

Under the move the money will support projects from 2017 to 2020.

Cycling and walking minister Robert Goodwill said: "Green sustainable transport schemes cut congestion, improve air quality and can make it easier for people to get around more efficiently and effectively."