Residents are being invited to give their views on new walking and cycling proposals for the New Forest. 

Those living and working in the area are urged to give their views as part of an eight-week consultation by Hampshire County Council.

The authority is holding this consultation until November 3 and feedback is being sought on the first phase of a new, draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

This plan proposes an extensive network of cycle routes across the area together with walking zones for the main residential settlements.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “We are committed to Hampshire being carbon neutral by the year 2050.

“With 37 per cent or more of all carbon generated by the way we travel, it’s important that we all work towards enabling greener ways to get around so that we can go beyond the national ambition for 50 per cent or more of all short journeys, to be walked or cycled.

“This draft plan sets out how this might be achieved across the New Forest area and is a first and necessary step that will support securing the funding from Government to deliver this ambition locally.”

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Feedback on the routes and areas proposed in the consultation can be provided via the online survey on the county council’s website.

Cllr Jill Cleary, leader of the New Forest District Council said: “A key priority of this council is to empower our residents to live healthy, connected and fulfilling lives, and enable people to enjoy our unique New Forest environment.

“We are also keen to promote more sustainable transport options for people in how they travel.

“Improving walking and cycling infrastructure across the New Forest will help to enable this and this draft Plan sets out a series of proposals and opportunities to guide future investment which we are keen to hear views on.”