Funding Local Cycle Infrastructure Plans
Cycling UK recently ran a campaign to ask the new Transport Secretary to commit funding to Local Authorities’ Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).
We emailed the Transport Secretary as well as Alok Sharma (Conservative MP for Reading West).
Alok Sharma duly responded stating:
“I am pleased with the progress we have made since 2010 to encourage more cycling and walking. Spending per head on cycling and walking has more than trebled since 2010, and about £2 billion is now being invested in cycling and walking over the current Parliament.”
With regard to the LCWIP, the MP continued:
“It is ultimately for local authorities to identify and prioritise investment for cycling and walking schemes from local funds and relevant national funding streams. Further funding opportunities are available through a range of recently-launched place based funds, including the Transforming Cities Fund, Future High Streets Fund, Housing Infrastructure Fund and the Clean Air Fund.”
Mini-Holland and the AGM
We held our AGM in June and, apart from confirming the committee for another year, welcomed Simon Munk from the London Cycle Campaign as our guest speaker.
Simon gave a passionate account of efforts made by local cycle campaigners in Walthamstow to persuade Waltham Forest Council to adopt an ambitious ‘mini-Holland’ scheme where streets are prioritised for cycling and walking.
Reading Transport Strategy to 2036
RBC is consulting on its Transport Strategy to 2036. The proposed strategy will focus on the following themes:
Given that RBC has now declared a Climate Emergency we would hope that any future transport strategy will not be a ‘business as usual’ rehash of previous strategies that have led to minimal growth in cycling and continued chronic problems of congestion, pollution and emissions.
The consultation closes on Friday 20 September; so if you have not already responded by the time you read this, you will need to get your skates on!
Keith Elliott
RCC Secretary