TRANSPORT measures to help tackle congestion and pollution in historic Winchester have won civic chiefs a national award.

Over recent years, extensive work has been carried out by Hampshire County Council and the city council to improve the quality of life for everyone working, living and shopping in the city.

This work has now been officially recognised with the prestigious "Clear Zones" award from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Environment, Transport and Regions.

Measures adopted by the two councils, under the Winchester Movement and Access Plan, have also helped to boost public transport facilities, as well as providing better information for the travelling public.

Traffic management schemes around the city have also been introduced to improve safety for all road users, while a network of on-and off-road cycle routes has been developed to serve the city centre, major employment sites, schools and colleges.

In addition, extensive improvements have been carried out in Jewry Street, which now has safer footpaths and crossing for pedestrians, as well as enhanced facilities for cyclists.

The chairman of the Winchester movement and access plan joint members panel, Harvey Cole, welcomed the award, which also recognises the way the transport measures have been linked with new technology.

He said: "It is very encouraging to see that our efforts towards making Winchester a clean, safe and secure city for people are being hailed by the government as a leading example of what local authorities and their partners can do."