Walking and cycling schemes streets ahead with £175m funding

An additional £175m has today been allocated to councils across England for the development of new cycling and walking spaces.

The funding, which is part of a £2bn government pot, will support new School Streets, where streets around schools are closed to motorists during school hours, segregated cycle lands and low-traffic neighbourhoods.

The government has said that this comes following surveys and independent polls showing “strong” public support for more schemes of this nature.

As part of the plan, council are now required to show evidence of consultation on the schemes, or they could be passed over for future funding.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We want to do everything we can to make it easy for people to include some activity in their daily routines – whether that’s cycling to work or walking safely to school.

“We can see the public’s strong appetite for greener and more active travel, and this funding will help ensure the right infrastructure is in place to build truly active neighbourhoods.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps commented: “It has been great to see so many people build cycling and walking into their daily travel habits.

“To support them, we know it’s vital to have the right infrastructure in place so everyone – cyclists, pedestrians and motorists – can use our roads.

“Whether you’re walking, cycling, driving or using public transport, people must have the space they need to get around safely.”