The new mobility sector says the UK Government's announcement in today's statement Fall budget investing £100 million in walking and cycling infrastructure is “extremely welcome”.
The good news comes after the previous government cut spending on active travel by 75% in March last year, from £200 million to £50 million.
Jim Densham, Cycling UK's policy director, said the funding announced today will help recoup these cuts and secure active investment in travel. return to what was initially proposed.
“We are pleased to see the Chancellor prioritizing sustainable transport, even despite the country's difficult financial situation,” Jim told Zag Daily. “Today's announcement will help us return to previous levels of active travel, but these levels will not be enough if the government is to achieve its health missions in the future.
Yesterday, Cycling UK was one of 18 organizations which signed an open letter to the Chancellor, urging him 10% of the current transport budget to invest in walking, wheeling and cycling. This equates to £2 billion a year for active travel, or £50 per person – a figure recommended by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
Although Cycling UK did not expect a £2 billion commitment to active travel this year, Jim said: “10% of the transport budget is a reasonable level of investment if we want to see the benefits of active travel than other countries such as Denmark and the United Kingdom. The Netherlands sees, as improving the health of citizens, increasing activity and increasing local benefits.
“This investment would help the UK Government deliver on its mission to improve the country’s health and save the NHS.”
Agreeing, Stephen Frost, IPPR head of transport policy, said: “At £100m, dedicated funding falls far short of what is needed to meet the Government's ambitions for active travel and the Department of Transportation should make increasing this amount a priority at the end of the agreement. review of its capital expenditure commitments.
Nonetheless, Stephen thanks the Government for today's announcement and believes encouraging active travel is key to achieving Labour's aims of removing barriers to opportunity, improving public health and supporting stronger growth inclusive.
“The budget commitment to maintain dedicated funding for active travel until the 2025/26 financial year will provide some funding certainty and, combined with investments in urban regions and other local transport projects, will see improvements made across England to people’s ease of access. move actively.
Simon Munk, head of campaigns and community development at London Cycling Campaign, told Zag that the £100 million investment in walking and cycling is “hugely welcome”, as is the Government's promise to grant additional funding to Transport for London (TfL).
However, on the Government's commitment to cars, Simon said: “The concern is that the current fuel tax freeze suggests the Government has a long way to go to deal consistently and boldly with the impacts of unnecessary use of private cars. And the same concern remains for TfL and the Mayor of London. Without additional measures to reduce driving, we cannot tackle climate, pollution, inactivity, road hazards and much more.
