A further £15m funding to tackle dangerous junctions for cyclists across the country was announced yesterday (26 June) by transport ministers Norman Baker and Mike Penning.
The investment – for use by English local authorities outside London – is in addition to the £15m awarded to Transport for London in March to tackle accident hotspots where cyclists have been killed or seriously injured.
Local authorities will need to submit bids to the Department for Transport (DfT) for a share of the latest fund. The DfT will also be looking to the local authorities themselves to contribute further money, in order to maximise the work that can be undertaken.
Norman Baker said: “I am delighted to be able to provide a further £15m to improve cycle safety, by enabling local authorities to tackle proven dangerous junctions. This investment – alongside a number of other initiatives we have progressed – will make our roads a safer place for everyone using them.
“Cycling is a fantastic way of getting fit, reducing congestion and improving the environment, and cyclist safety matters hugely.”
Details of the new fund were outlined to the DfTs Cycling Forum, which includes cycling, motoring, and road safety groups, who have been working together to find ways to improve cycle safety. The DfT will now work in partnership with local authorities and the forum to identify the most important junctions for safety improvements. This process will use analysis of accident data to highlight potential sites for improvement.
Decisions on how the money will be allocated are likely to be announced in the Autumn, according to the DfT.
Click here to read the full DfT press release.
This is good news. I look forward to hearing further about how Local Authorities will be able to access the funding. I suspect however, that £15m will be a drop in the ocean.
Rebecca, Leeds
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