Transport
Minister Norman Baker today announced £15m of new funding for
sustainable travel projects across the country that will promote
economic growth and cut carbon.
The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable
Transport Fund announced in January 2011. This additional funding,
heavily geared towards cycling, will support jobs, enhance access
to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally
friendly transport.
Sustrans – the UK transport charity – will receive £8m for
projects to enhance cycle routes across England. The remaining £7m
will be allocated through the Cycle Rail Working Group – the body
which brings together representatives of the rail industry and the
cycling sector – to improve integration between cycle and rail at
stations. Measures will include safer and more convenient cycle
racks, additional cycle parking and storage, and better access for
cyclists. This will complement the £7m that Network Rail is
already spending in this area.
Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said:
“This fund underlines the firm commitment of the Coalition
Government to sustainable transport.
“If we are serious about reducing carbon, then we need to get
more people walking and cycling. But we must do it in a way that
boosts the economy.
“I want this fund to support projects that create growth and
tackle climate change by cutting our carbon emissions.
“I look forward to seeing the projects put forward by Sustrans
and the Cycle Rail Working Group and working with them to deliver
transport that is greener, healthier and improves quality of life
in our communities.”
Both organisations will now work up the specific projects they
intend to fund. The successful projects will be announced in March.
Notes to Editors
1. The Cycle Rail Working Group (CRWG) was established following
a recommendation of the July 2007 Command Paper ‘Delivering a
Sustainable Railway’ (Cm7176; page 106)
2. Sustrans is a UK-wide charity with over 30 years experience of
enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport. They
are the coordinator of the National Cycle Network (NCN) which is
now 13,500+ miles in length and is within 1 mile of just over 60%
of the population.
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