Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Ellis and Lord Walney

Thursday 18th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Ind)]

16. What recent estimate he has made of the resources required to implement his Department’s cycling and walking investment strategy.

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Michael Ellis)]

Spending on cycling and walking in England has doubled from £3.50 per head to around £7 per head over the current spending review period. The Government estimate that around £2 billion will have been spent on measures to implement the strategy between 2016 to 2021 alone.

[Michael Ellis]

I am always very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman. I would point out, however, that as well as the doubling of investment in cycling and walking and the £2 billion, we channel money from the Department for Transport and the Government to local authorities such as his so that there is even more money for them to allocate to cycling and walking.

[John Woodcock]

But will the Minister publish the evidence his Department has commissioned? Surely that will show that the current levels of investment will not be sufficient to meet the target. When he recognises that, will he direct his attention to the disused railway that Highways England wants to turn into a cycle lane between Ulverston canal and Greenodd roundabout?