A £60,000 scheme to improve footpaths, steps and other public rights of way to encourage walking for short journeys in the borough has begun.

Seven roads and streets have been identified for works, which started this week in Ambrose Crescent and Gladstone Grove in Kingswinford.

Workers there will be taking up slabs and laying new footpaths on a route used by pedestrians to access local bus routes and shopping facilities, as well as industrial units off Stallings Lane.

Plans are also in place to improve footpaths on routes from Springfield Road through to Moor Street and Fens Pool Avenue through to Wallows Road, both in Brierley Hill.

Footpaths will be relaid from Upton Street through to St Giles Street in Netherton, and Melbourne Road to Furnace Lane in Halesowen.

Steps to a path leading from Worcester Lane to Racecourse Lane and Melrose Avenue in Stourbridge have become badly worn and will also be replaced as part of the scheme. Councillor Shaz Saleem, cabinet member for highways and public realm, said:

"We want to try and do all we can as a council to encourage people to leave their cars at home for short journeys. Journeys like taking the kids to school, going to the shops, to a local place of worship or social club, or walking to catch the bus.

"If we can encourage more people to ditch their cars for trips like this the impact, both environmentally and on our physical health, is going to be massive.

"That is why I am delighted we have been able to get this scheme through, and I look forward to seeing the results."

The news comes as the council is currently conducting a Your Borough, Your Future survey centred around tackling climate change.

To take part in the survey, which only takes a few minutes to complete, go to dudley.gov.uk.