AIR quality on the busy A456 at Hagley will be improved thanks to more than £800,000 of government funding that will also help build scores of new environmentally-friendly homes in the Bromsgrove district.

Bromsgrove District Council has been handed £820,000 for the projects by the Government's 'Getting Building Fund'.

In addition to the improvements planned for the A456 - the main route from Halesowen to Kidderminster, via Hagley - the money will also help to build 61 low carbon homes in the district.

The planned new housing development in Bromsgrove will perform to a higher environmental standard and deliver homes which are cheaper to run than a standard home.

Council leader Karen May said: “Both projects are exciting for Bromsgrove and I absolutely welcome this news which means great strides for the District as we declared a climate change emergency last year.

“I have been pushing extensively for improvements on the busy A456 and these will dramatically improve the air quality issues in this area.

“The funding for 61 low carbon houses in Bromsgrove is also terrific as this Council remains committed to the national climate change agenda and our pledge for a carbon neutral district by 2050.”

The schemes are among several across Worcestershire that have jointly been awarded £12m of Government cash via the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The money will fund capital projects and programmes, which will help support jobs, skills and infrastructure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.