Oral Answers to Questions

James Daly Excerpts

Thursday 2nd July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Simon Fell (Barrow and Furness) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to increase levels of cycling and walking.

[James Daly (Bury North) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to increase levels of cycling and walking.

[Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Brighton, Kemptown) (Lab/Co-op)]

What support the Government are providing to local authorities to promote active travel.

--- Later in debate ---

[Grant Shapps]

It sounds like a terrific scheme, and my advice to my hon. Friend is to have the local authority work with all those other bodies, including Network Rail, Highways England and the county council. I will join him in pushing from my end to ensure that can happen.

[James Daly]

Bury Council has outlined plans for 70 new or upgraded crossings and five miles of protected cycle routes on busy roads, which if completed, would allow 88% of the population to use the Greater Manchester Bee Network. Implementation of those plans, however, has stalled, despite funding being in place. Will the Secretary of State meet me to ensure Bury North residents have the benefit of those improvements at the earliest opportunity?

[Grant Shapps]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Manchester Bee Network is extremely important. I can inform him that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has already had £3.174 million to assist in projects such as this and, of course, either myself or the Minister with responsibility for cycling will be absolutely delighted to meet him.