The DfT has awarded £8m to Sustrans, the transport charity, to fund projects to enhance cycle routes across England.
The Sustrans funding, which was announced last week by Norman Baker, transport minister, is part of £15m investment by Government to fund sustainable travel projects in an attempt to promote economic growth and cut carbon.
The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011. The Government says that the additional funding, heavily geared towards cycling, aims to support jobs, enhance access to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally friendly transport.
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.
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 and the successful projects will be announced in March.
Click here to read the full DfT press release.
Can I ask on behalf of the other mostly green and endangered minority users of the road for a few millions to make our roads safer for us and others of our kind. We are another minority but who suffer greatly by being misunderstood and misrepresented. I would want the monies to be spent in making our journeys by road safer, with less threat of being killed or injured by others on our roads.
Can iI therefore personally represent the motorcyclists of this great nation and in the belief that we are worthy, ask for financial support in making our roads safer for our small minority group that represent no more than 1% of motorised vehicles. I think that u would all agree that that is a minority group.
If the powers that be recognise us as a green entity to be entertained as such and to be afforded the finance that others of our kind, those without motors on their cycles enjoy then I will look after a few million on their behalf or if needs be I will set up a charity that will endevour to look after the needs of so few.
It’s true that more is got by licking than biting. For many years the motorcycle lobby has been seen mistakenly as aggressive but its never asked for anything, other than the same consideration and type of efforts made to reduce the risk to its membership, than that which is already being shown to the so called friendly cycle lobby.
So come on government, let’s have your support and put your money where your mouth is.
I have written this in the hope that it will be printed.
bob craven
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