More than £1.5m could be spent to keep cyclists safe on busy roads.

Surrey County Council is bidding for the cash and, if successful, Walton will benefit from the funding.

The Walton Bridge Links scheme would provide safe, segregated cycle paths north and south of the new £32m bridge development, linking Walton and Upper and Lower Halliford.

The scheme would ensure the cycle infrastructure being incorporated in the new Walton Bridge is complimented by paths linking residential, retail, employment and education establishments. 

There have been 35 reported cyclist casualties, three of them serious, in the past three-and-a-half years along the proposed route.

Leatherhead would also benefit from the cash, with cycle lanes installed to join up the town centre with the railway station, schools and major employers.

The bid comes after the council announced a to-do list of major transport schemes in preparation for a series of funding opportunities worth millions from the Government.

The county council’s bid for Department for Transport cycle safety cash is linked to the Travel Smart initiative, which has been awarded £18m for schemes that will improve travel and stimulate economic growth.

As part of the initiative, local groups get the chance to pitch for thousands of pounds to support green travel schemes in their neighbourhoods.

John Furey, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “The way we travel has a huge impact on our quality of life, the economy and the environment.

“If our funding bid is successful, the money will be used to make journeys easier, safer and greener.”