ALMOST £80 million has been awarded to create two new “sustainable connectivity corridors” and four new “cycle freeways” across the south east of Dorset.

As part of Wednesday’s national budget announcement, chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the BCP Council-led project would be awarded its £79.3 million bid.

The funding has been welcomed as “the beginning of a new era” for the region’s transport network.

South east Dorset was one of 12 regions from across the country to be invited by the government to put forward proposals for a share of the £1.2 billion pot.

In November, a project team of BCP and Dorset Council representatives submitted three bids but was warned to lower its expectations due to the fund being oversubscribed.

They ranged from £79.3 million to £115.7 million and each would be topped up by local authority and third party investment.

On Wednesday, as part of its budget announcement, the government revealed it would back the lower bid.

The approved request included plans to create new “sustainable connectivity corridors” between Poole and Ferndown and Poole and north Bournemouth.

Cycle freeways linking Lansdowne to Christchurch, Bournemouth to Ferndown, Wareham to Poole and Merley to Poole were also included, alongside new “bus priority infrastructure” and a £250,000 lorry management system for Longham.

The overall budget has been boosted to £98.3 million with additional funding from BCP and Dorset councils and other third parties, including Morebus, Yellow Buses and Beryl.

This will help expand the Beryl Bikes scheme and see grant funding provided for employers looking to encourage sustainable commuting.

BCP Council leader Vikki Slade said the money would help the authority meet its 2030 target to be carbon neutral.

“This funding is huge and means that we can create so many opportunities for how people access different travel and leisure options," she said. "With the climate emergency upon us, it’s vital that we give people new options to rethink how they get around, now and for the future.”

The leader of Dorset Council, Spencer Flower, said the proposed measures would improve connections between the two areas.

“Improved transport links across the county will better connect the communities we serve, which can only be a good thing for our local economy.," he said. "A renewed focus on active travel via cycling and walking will have obvious health benefits through improved air quality and possibilities for exercise."

BH Active Travel Forum chairman Jason Falconer said he would be working closely with the project team on designs of any schemes.

“This is the beginning of a new area for BCP,” he said. “It’s a big sum of money and we will be working closely with the council to make sure it’s spent in the best possible way.”

In line with the requirements of the grant, the council will look to complete all of the work within the next three years.