PLANS to invest up to £400,000 in public transport in East Cleveland have been unveiled.

A study has been commissioned by Redcar and Cleveland Council to look at providing better bus stops and transport links.

It is hoped that eventually it will be easier for travellers to combine bus travel with other modes of transport.

JMP Consultants will survey 16 sites in Redcar, Guisborough, Saltburn and a number of villages. After examining recommendations from the study the council may spend £100,000 in the next two years and a further £200,000 in the third year.

A JMP spokesman said the idea was to create transport centres suitable as an interchange for a range of travellers.

He said: "The development of transport hubs is a central theme of the council's transport strategy.

"It is intended to create a series of focal points to help public transport, walking and cycling to become a more attractive alternative to the car for all journeys.

"The majority of the 16 sites are bus interchanges, but the study also includes several bus and rail interchanges. To meet the objective of increasing travel choice for dispersed communities, JMP is considering the scope for park and ride, cycle and ride and access on foot at each location."

A council spokesman said the Government had set local councils the target of increasing the number of people using buses by ten per cent by 2010.