MISSING links in Crewe's cycling and walking trails could be connected up if an innovative pilot project involving GPs prescribing exercise for residents goes ahead.

The plans would also see new cycle and walking routes laid out, improved lighting and signage with access to Crewe Lifestyle Centre's showers, bike maintenance classes and secure cycle storage.

Cheshire East Council has been awarded £50,000 by the Department for Transport to develop a feasibility study into the active travel social prescribing project, which, if further funding is approved, will see new routes created in the town to help boost health and wellbeing.

The scheme would see health teams 'prescribe cycling or walking' to residents, while cycling training and bikes would be made available for those taking part. GPs will also 'prescribe' leisure centre sessions.

It is hoped it would help tackle the lowest numbers participating in cycling and walking in Crewe where air quality in parts of town is poor due to high volumes of traffic.

Parts of Crewe are already covered by the Connect2 Crewe to Nantwich Greenway with cycle and pedestrian routes extending up the A530/Middlewich Road corridor and off near the Rising Sun to Bluebell Wood/Wistaston Brook, King George V Playing Fields and Queens Park.

But the new scheme would enhance links with the town centre as well as Leighton Hospital and other work locations as well as providing circular loops incorporating green spaces such as Queens Park and Valley Brook Park.

The scheme would receive £600,000 of government funding over the next three years.

Cheshire East was among 30 local authorities that successfully submitted an outline proposal to improve cycling and walking infrastructure as part of the government's Active Travel Fund.

Cllr Craig Browne, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, said: "We want to make it easier for residents to be active in their everyday lives and this pilot scheme would see improved cycle and walking routes in Crewe, which will help support people to make healthier choices.

"Increasing physical exercise can also play a major part in boosting mental health and is key to achieving healthier outcomes for residents and will help tackle the health inequalities within some of the most deprived areas of Crewe, which are among the 20 per cent of most deprived areas of England.

"Cycling and walking rates in Crewe are also among the lowest in the borough and air quality in parts of the town is poor due to high volumes of traffic. This project supports the council's drive to encourage more people to be more active and to build walking and cycling into their everyday lives."

GP practices would take referrals for the scheme from a variety of local agencies, while the council's leisure services provider, Everybody Sport and Recreation, will provide personalised support plans.

Dr Andrew Wilson, of Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: "We, along with all our Cheshire East partners, recognise the importance of improving the ability to access green and outdoor spaces as a way of improving people's physical and mental health and wellbeing. We are delighted to be partners supporting this aim."

Cycling and walking minister Trudy Harrison revealed: "This funding will allow us to explore whether GPs could prescribe active travel to treat a variety of conditions and I'm very pleased that Cheshire East is interested in this valuable and fascinating research."

The council plans to link with local walking and cycling groups, including Bikeability, and community and voluntary groups.

The pilot scheme proposals, which would be submitted with a bid for full funding, are the latest in a series of Cheshire East Council schemes to boost active travel across the borough.

The borough council's cycling strategy aims to double the number of cyclists by 2027.

Schemes are already being developed in Crewe to transform access to the town centre under the Future High Street Fund, Levelling Up Fund and Green Link Towns Fund.