Rachel has welcomed news that Worcestershire is set to receive an additional £649,200 from the Government’s Active Travel Fund–designed to create safe space for cycling and walking.
The money will be provided to Worcestershire County Council and could be used to fund measures such as School Streets, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and segregated cycle lanes. In total, £175 million is being allocated to councils across England in the latest round of allocations from the fund.
Following discussions with MPs, the Government has stipulated that councils receiving money will have to meet tough new conditions to ensure that schemes are properly thought out and that their impact on other road users are closely weighed up.
Councils will also have longer to spend the money, ensuring there is time to consult local communities. If these conditions are not met, future funding allocations will be reduced, and the Government could clawback some of the money already provided.
The Government has pledged a revolution in walking and cycling as part of its plans to level up the whole county, with the Prime Minister pledging a record £2 billion investment to double cycling and increase walking by 2025. This comes on top of more than £27 billion that will be invested in England’s roads over the next five years, ensuring the road network is safe, reliable and efficient.
Rachel said:
“This extra funding is very welcome. It’s further evidence of this Government’s commitment to a long term, permanent shift to active travel for all.
“Active travel is high on the agenda as we build back greener here in Redditch following the impact of COVID-19.
“During the lockdown we saw massive increases in the number of people walking & cycling. This appetite for more active travel must be maintained & built on. We can’t go back to the way things were.
