Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margaret Greenwood and Andrew Jones

Thursday 23rd February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Margaret Greenwood (Wirral West) (Lab)]

12. When he plans to publish the Government’s cycling and walking investment strategy.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Andrew Jones)]

We will publish the strategy shortly, but I am not able to specify a precise date yet.

[Margaret Greenwood]

The Wirral Way in my constituency is a beautiful path that is popular with cyclists and walkers for the expansive views it gives over the Dee estuary, and, of course, the fresh air it affords and the internationally renowned bird life. The Government have committed more than £15 billion over five years for their roads investment strategy, but just £316 million for their draft cycling and walking investment strategy. What more will the Government do to increase cycling and walking in the United Kingdom?

[Andrew Jones]

We will publish our strategy shortly, but let me correct the hon. Lady. We are spending approximately 2% of the Department’s total budget in this Parliament on cycling, which amounts to just under £1 billion out of a total budget of around £50 billion. We want to make cycling and walking the default choice for shorter journeys, and I recognise all the hon. Lady’s points about the very pleasant area that she represents.