TWO Hampshire national parks have received a major financial boost to help deal with traffic problems.

The Department for Transport has given £3.8m to the South Downs National Park, the New Forest National Park and the county council to improve public transport in the parks and make it easier to reach visitor attractions.

The funding will also be used to promote travel by bus, bike or rail around the parks by creating cycle and walking routes to stations.

Julian Johnson, chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority, said: “This is once-in-a-generation funding. I am so pleased that everyone’s hard work has paid off and that we have been successful. We now have a real opportunity to make a difference to sustainable transport in the New Forest.”