Worcester MP Mike Foster has welcomed the news that Worcestershire County Council will receive an allocation of £14.1m for 2007/8 to spend on its local transport plans.

Part of the £4.399m settlement for transport schemes included £1m for the multi-million pound park-and-ride scheme at Worcester Rugby Club.

Some £800,000 will be spent on traffic signals and a cyclist and pedestrian lane at the congested Powick roundabout on the A449.

And £1.6m will be spent on improving Evesham High Street. There are long-standing issues on the High Street regarding parking and congestion. The county also received £9.682m for transport maintenance to reconstruct and repair roads across the county.

The announcement was made by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander in Parliament.

Commenting on the news, Mr Foster said: "This extra investment for Worcestershire is good news and should be warmly welcomed locally. It really is important to keep the investment flowing into our local transport plans to improve transport in our area. The money could be spent on road safety, improved integration or tackling congestion and improving public transport.

"This investment is part of a £9bn package that has benefited the country over the last six years. We have seen progress in providing better infrastructure for buses, cyclists and pedestrians as well as easing traffic congestion. But there is still more to do. That is why long term and sustained investment is needed.

"The growth of Worcester and future economic welfare is dependent on good local transport. This investment, with the promise under a Labour Government of more to come, is therefore important for the future of our city."

The Local Transport Capital Settlement is given by the Government annually to boost transport in the regions.