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Investment in local roads and retention of the Cycle to Work scheme – cycling campaigners respond to Autumn StatementPhilip Hammond - image via Wikia Commons.jpg

Investment in local roads and retention of the Cycle to Work scheme – cycling campaigners respond to Autumn Statement

Cycling UK urges local authorities to incorporate high quality cycle facilities
by Alex Bowden
Wed, Nov 23, 2016 17:49
6

In today’s Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced an extra £1.1bn investment in English local roads and retention of the ‘Cycle To Work’ scheme.

Hammond also confirmed the government’s contribution of £9m towards the cost of hosting the Cycling Road World Championships in Yorkshire in 2019, and £15m towards a legacy fund to pay for cycling infrastructure.

Responding to the increased investment in local roads, Cycling UK urged local authorities to use this opportunity to incorporate high quality cycle facilities.

Paul Tuohy, Cycling UK’s CEO, said:

“Local roads are what everyone uses most regularly, but they are so often overlooked when it comes to public spending in place of big budget projects like motorways or A-roads.

“The chancellor’s pledge of £1.1bn to upgrade our local roads is a real opportunity for councils to tackle not just congestion, but also the health issues caused by dire air quality and physical inactivity.

“Local authorities must use these new local road funds to make Space for Cycling at the same time. This would be a cost efficient use of new money that will benefit all road users and the local community.”

The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group also welcomed the news.

Ruth Cadbury MP (Lab, Brentford and Isleworth) said: “The large investment in local roads could see a revolution in cycling – I hope that towns and cities across England will get the segregated facilities that are needed to increase our cycling rates to European levels.”

Alex Chalk MP (Con, Cheltenham) added: “Retaining the Cycle to Work scheme is vital for encouraging commuting by bike. Millions of people have benefited from the scheme so far and I am delighted that this scheme will continue to support the growth in cycling.”

Philip Hammond
2016 Autumn Statement
cycling uk
All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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6 comments

Avatar
Simmo72 | 8 years ago
1 like

I was very impressed with one of our more recent road initatives.  3 times over budget (and only delivery phase 1, phase 2 canned) to put in 2 roundabouts on a stright road.  Its a good thing, it was the most dangerous hotspot in north hampshire (which begs the question why it took them 20 years).  The beauty was it closed off access for a cyclist, forcing them to ride up a narrow A road for 1/2 a mile, go round the roundabout facing cars speeding at 60mph+ then going back on yourself. Eventually they resolved this by slamming a bit of tarmic on the curb to make a make shift ramp to ride up, but directly on the roundabout.  this means you have to slow down at a strange entry angle whilst on the roundabout and hoping drivers joining are aware of what you are doing.   they don't.

 

Then they widen the A road but don't use any of the vacant space to make a cycle lane.  they used more paint over 6 miles to say you can't enter the section than 1 single line of paint to say a cyclist can.......utterly inept and in need of a slap with a road sign.

 

 

Avatar
Grahamd | 8 years ago
1 like

This sum appears large, but when you compare this to the £1Bn for 5G you realise how paltry in real terms this amount is. Also don't get too excited apparently it is for " English local roads" so that will exclude plenty on the forum.

 

 

Avatar
burtthebike | 8 years ago
1 like

Anyone who thinks this money will be used to improve things for cyclists is denying the evidence of the past ten years.  This money is earmarked for congestion reduction schemes i.e. road widening, and there will be no provision for cyclists.

This scheme for instance http://road.cc/content/news/187943-police-officer-cycle-path-too-risky-u...

Avatar
WillRod | 8 years ago
2 likes

They will probably spend the money on a bus lane to share with cyclists to qualify for the funding, then allow cars to use the bus lane to "ease congestion" during peak hours, thereby making the whole thing a pointless exercise.

I wouldn't trust any mainstream political party on cycling, and the Green Party are hardly going to get into power!

Avatar
harrybav replied to WillRod | 8 years ago
1 like

WillRod wrote:

They will probably spend the money on a bus lane to share with cyclists to qualify for the funding, then allow cars to use the bus lane to "ease congestion" during peak hours

Exactly what happened in Edinburgh. Our cycling budget pays for 1/3rd of the cost of the (now part time) bus lane. 

Avatar
Internet Pawn replied to harrybav | 8 years ago
1 like

vbvb wrote:

Exactly what happened in Edinburgh. Our cycling budget pays for 1/3rd of the cost of the (now part time) bus lane. 

And Bedford.  The cycling budget paid for a roundabout whose only concession to cycling was that we can now use the pavement to cycle to a pedestrian crossing - all paid for with £300,000 from the Cycle Safety Fund.

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