CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation, welcomed the Government’s announcement of £140 Million new funding for cycling programmes.
Director Kevin Mayne said “What is particularly welcome about this announcement is the involvement of Ministers not only for transport but also for children and health. It’s great to see Government recognising that cycling can help tackle the twin crises of obesity and climate change.
“CTC has been calling for serious investment in cycling ever since the National Cycling Strategy was announced 12 years ago. This money now needs to be spent on measures which will deliver some serious bang for the bucks available, to strengthen the case for still larger funding allocations in years to come.
Cycling England needs to get behind local authorities and Primary Care Trusts who are keen to challenge unnecessary car use, introduce area-wide 20mph speed limits and work with local cycling advocates so that the health benefits of cycling can be enjoyed by people of whatever age or background throughout the country.”
Secretary of State Ruth Kelly announced in Brighton on Monday 21st January that the funding will be channelled through advisory group Cycling England which has managed £30 million of programmes since 2005, creating six Cycling Demonstration Towns and a range of programmes aimed at getting children cycling. The funding will enable a substantial expansion and the launch of new activities.
CTC’s charity arm, the CTC Charitable Trust is a significant contributor to Cycling England, delivering a range of support for cycle training and local authority effectiveness.
• Today’s announcement commits a total of £140m for over 3 years: £20m in 2008/9 and £60m in the two following years. Next year’s “ramping up” year is therefore already a doubling of its current budget, and £60m a year in the following two years is now very close to the £70m annual budget which Cycling England had called for in both its first and second business plans.
• Read Cycling England’s proposals for Government spending on cycling in full at http://www.cyclingengland.org.uk/viewer.php?fd=222
• For more information about CTC’s position on government transport and health policies go to www.ctc.org.uk/campaigns
• 56% of car trips are under 5 miles http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/pdfsustaintranssystem.pdf
