A £245,000 scheme to improve transport links in and around Gosport has been given the green light.

But the brakes have been slammed on a £45,000 bid to improve safety by introducing CCTV cameras to the town's bus station and to Lee-on-the-Solent.

Hampshire County Council environment boss councillor Keith Estlin was given the final say on the blueprint for a year-long programme of improvements in the area.

Cllr Estlin told his officers to put on hold plans to pay for remote control Big Brother cameras for Lee-on-the-Solent's High Street and the bus station.

He says the funding should be provided by the borough council and bus chiefs.

He told those attending his executive member decision-making meeting: "What I'm not happy about here is that I just feel once we have done that once, people will see we have done it in Gosport and ask why are we not doing it across the county.

"I'm very happy with the other aspects."

Alternative sources of funding are now being sought by backers of the scheme.

In the meantime, it is hoped work on highway improvements to make life easier for pedestrians and cyclists will begin next month.

They include cycle track lighting improvements from Whitworth Road to Spring Gardens and from South Street to The Crescent, a new track from Lavinia Road to Toronto Place, footways to community facilities in Rambler Drive and Nimrod Drive and measures for the disabled at the bus station itself. A council spokesman said: "There is a clear need to enhance the role of public transport within the Gosport and Fareham area.

"The scheme will enhance the environment for walking and cycling, thus widening travel choice and reducing dependence upon the motor car."