Cycling Infrastructure

Norman Baker Excerpts

Wednesday 28th November 2012 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker)]

The coalition Government has today made available an additional £20 million for our existing infrastructure projects to support cycling.

The funding will increase the total available for:

1. The community linking places fund (in addition to the £15 million announced on 7 February 2012)

2. Improving cycle safety at junctions (in addition to the £15 million announced on 26 June 2012)

This community linking places fund is primarily for improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure, facilities and links. This includes improving access to the rail network by bicycle. In addition the fund aims to support jobs, enhance access to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally friendly transport. Projects currently being supported were announced on 6 March 2012.

The investment in junctions—for use by English local authorities outside London—will help to tackle accident hotspots where cyclists have been killed or seriously injured, or are deemed to be at greater risk. Local authorities are currently submitting bids for funding.

Demand from local authorities, Sustrans and train operating companies, who are delivering the infrastructure, has been high. An increase of £20 million to the total funding available will allow the Government to support more high-quality proposals.

Details of the projects to be supported under the additional funding will be published early next year.