New designated cycle routes and a new cycle trail in the Peak District are set to be created as part of a £10m investment package announced by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The funding - which is the remaining allocation of the government's £60m cycling budget for the year - will also be used to help deliver new projects designed to encourage more people to take up cycling. Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) has been awarded £1m to help fund the creation of a new £3.785m cycle trail between Matlock and Buxton railway stations in Derbyshire.

The £1m government funding will be used to help create a section of the trail between Buxton and Bakewell, which includes the reopening of four railway tunnels closed following the Beeching Axe in the 1960s for horse riders, walkers and cyclists to use as part of the Monsal Trail. Cycling England has already contributed £1.25m towards the trail, which will link the existing Monsal, High Peak and Tissington Trails. It is hoped the new combined trail will enable visitors to arrive in the Peak District by train before cycling across the national park.

PDNPA director of operations Richard Campen said: "It will create both a spectacular cycling route and a realistic alternative to the car, enabling more people to make healthy choices for themselves and for the environment. "It will also benefit local tourism businesses with rail and cycle-based travel packages."

Meanwhile, a number of UK towns are set to be designated as Cycling Demonstration Towns as part of the DfT funding in a bid to improve health levels and reduce congestion. Transport minister Sadiq Khan said: "The new money for the Cycling Demonstration Towns and the Peak District National Park represents a great opportunity for people to join the cycling revolution.

"By getting more people cycling, we can help tackle congestion and pollution, as well as helping to promote health and fitness." Image: Peak District National Park Authority