Asked by: Alex McIntyre (Labour - Gloucester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve road safety for cyclists in Gloucester.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This Government takes road safety very seriously and reducing those killed and injured on our roads is a key priority. The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. The Hierarchy of Road Users was introduced, which places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy.
Since 2020-21, Gloucestershire County Council has been awarded over £23 million through the Active Travel Fund. This funding can be used by the authority for new segregated cycling facilities, improved junctions and upgrades to existing routes to improve safety. Over £1 million has been awarded to upgrade the National Cycle Network in Gloucestershire.
Earlier this year, Gloucestershire was allocated £462,000 to build capability and enable more people to walk and cycle safely under the Capability Fund. Additionally, 4,977 cycle training places were funded in 2023-24 as part of £224,000 of Bikeability funding.
Asked by: Alex McIntyre (Labour - Gloucester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition of local roads.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. It publishes data annually on the condition of local roads which is available on gov.uk.
At Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local highway maintenance for the 2025/26 financial year, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the current financial year - exceeding this Government’s manifesto commitment on repairing local roads. The Government will confirm 2025/26 funding allocations to English local highway authorities, including Gloucestershire County Council, in due course.