Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how he will ensure the Government's £80 million five-year Access Fund will be spent on sustainable transport projects.

The Department for Transport allocated £20 million of the £80 million Access Fund to a transition year between 2016 and 2017.

The primary objectives of the Sustainable Travel Transition Year remain as per the Local Sustainable Transport Fund to support the local economy; reduce carbon emissions; improve access to jobs, training and education; and increase levels of people cycling and walking. The competition for this was held on 15th February and closed on the 29th March 2016. The competition has now been assessed and the winning bids will be announced shortly.

This transition year has been set up to support local councils in the switch from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund to the Access Fund.

The launch of the £60 million Access Fund will take place later this summer 2016, to provide further support for sustainable and accessible travel projects. Improving access to employment, education and services and improving walking and cycling uptake will be the core objectives.