Cheshire East Council has extended its consultation on local transport plans for the borough due to a low response.

The online public engagement, which seeks the views of communities, residents, elected members and other stakeholders, was due to of January but has now been moved until the end of March.

The council says it has received a "relatively small" number of responses since the consultation launched last month.

Responses are due to be fed into the decision-making process on areas such as walking and cycling provision, as well as public transport.

A separate consultation on the issue of parking has received over 3,000 responses.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "Local transport delivery plans are substantial and important documents and, with our libraries closed due to coronavirus and people being directed to stay at home whenever possible, we have decided to extend the consultation period.

"This consultation is a real opportunity for us all to work together and get the right blend of local transport and walking and cycling infrastructure in the right places. That is why it is so important that people take the time to have their say in helping shape future plans.

"Alongside these proposals, we are also developing town centre vitality plans for our key urban hubs, helping us to better understand and respond to local needs.

"We also need to consider the potential longer-term impacts of coronavirus. This may include using our public spaces differently to enable greater social distancing, more reliance on active travel, as well as increased home working."

The local transport plan consultations are based around the following themes:

• Accessibility for all – considering all travel needs;

• Sustainability – improving walking, cycling and public transport;

• Quality of the public realm – managing traffic to support town centres and the visitor economy;

• Better neighbourhoods – improving amenities where people live; and

• Connectivity – the strategic links needed to access work, education and essential services, such as hospitals.

To find out more and take part in the consultations, visit the council's local transport engagement web page.

If you are struggling to access the plan details or online survey, you can obtain a paper version of the plan by calling the council's customer services team on 0300 123 5500.