Work has started on £80,000 worth of improvements to Dudley borough’s rights of way network.

Eight key sites are being targeted to encourage people to walk, jog and cycle along the routes.

Work includes widening pathways, improving surfaces, removal of trip hazards and cutting back trees and bushes.

Work started this week on Summerfields Avenue to Narrow Lane in Halesowen, which includes resurfacing of the path.

Other priority sites identified include:

• Saltwells Road to Lincoln Road (Netherton)
• Leys Road to Nanaimo Way (Brockmoor/Kingswinford)
• Maybank Road to Saltwells Road (Netherton)
• Ratcliffe Close to Tipton Road (Sedgley)
• Mousesweet Close to Withymoor Road (Netherton)
• Hockley Lane to Knowle Hill Road (Netherton) 
• and Greenhill Road to Mucklow Hill (Halesowen).

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said: "This is a significant investment and people will see the benefits over the next few weeks.

“I was pleased to be there to see the work get underway in Halesowen.

"By investing in programmes like this we hope to make it easier and safer for people to get around the borough. The work will be completed in phases."