A decision to spend money earmarked for cycling initiatives on an art project has been defended.

Brighton and Hove City Council is spending £8,000 on hiring an artist to refurbish an area close to Brighton Station.

The use of money from the UK’s Cycling Town initiative on the Pocket Park scheme has been criticised by the council’s Labour group leader, Gill Mitchell.

She said: “This is money that is needed for making transport in Brighton and Hove more sustainable.”

The project offers £8,000 to artists who can “work some magic with this area of the North Laine”.

The closing date for submissions has passed and an artist will be chosen to take charge of the project.

Councillor Tony Janio, the council’s cycling champion, defended the move, saying: “We want to get to the psychology of cycling. The Pocket Park project is designed to make pedestrians and cyclists feel at home with each other.

“This money is from the European Civitas fund and the Cycling Town initiative, so no council money is being used.”