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Influential MPs call on Chancellor to save cycle funding

The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group writes to George Osborne urging him to save cycle funding from budget cuts

A cross party group of MPs has urged George Osborne not to back down on his government's spending pledges for cycling, saying the case for investment is "compelling" for public health, the economy and the attractiveness of the UK for overseas investment.

The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group (APPCG) has written to the Chancellor following a report in the Times that the much anticipated Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy is likely to suffer in a forthcoming government spending review, while the Department for Transport faces 30% budget cuts.

The APPCG, which has been influential in obtaining funding and pledges from the Prime Minister in the past,  points out cycling infrastructure has a £5 return per £1 investment, far higher than road or rail schemes, and asks the Chancellor to deliver David Cameron's cycling revolution.

Cycling likely to suffer in government spending review

The letter, signed by eight cross-party MPs, reads: "We are concerned to read a report in The Times newspaper (Saturday 1st November), suggesting the Treasury is reluctant to provide the funding needed to deliver the Prime Minister’s ‘Cycling Revolution’ via the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS).

Department for Transport agrees 30 per cent spending cut – to what extent will cycling suffer?

Using statistics provided by cycle campaign the CTC, the letter points out cycling improves air quality, reduces congestion, and helps create people friendly towns and cities, which helps attract overseas investment, while the benefit:cost ratio of £5: £1 exceeds the typical range for major road or rail projects.

The letter points out the APPCG earned strong cross party support for its Get Britain Cycling inquiry report, which called for £10 spend on cycling rising to £20.

During the general election the Prime Minister supported the call for investment of at least £10 per person per year via CTC's Vote Bike campaign, along with 60 MPs. The CTC is expected to encourage people to write to their MPs again asking they support ongoing funding for cycling.

The APPCG's letter to George Osborne says: "We recently met the Prime Minister to press the case for investment in cycling and improved cycle safety. He was very supportive of our aspirations to create the conditions where cycling becomes a safe and normal means of day-to-day travel, for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities."

"The case for investment in cycling is compelling. Improving cycling infrastructure will yield excellent returns – from health dividends to improved economic competitiveness. Such benefits would be felt for generations to come. We would urge you to do all that you can to ensure that the Prime Minister’s vision for a ‘Cycling Revolution’ becomes a reality."

                                                                                                                             

Laura Laker is a freelance journalist with more than a decade’s experience covering cycling, walking and wheeling (and other means of transport). Beginning her career with road.cc, Laura has also written for national and specialist titles of all stripes. One part of the popular Streets Ahead podcast, she sometimes appears as a talking head on TV and radio, and in real life at conferences and festivals. She is also the author of Potholes and Pavements: a Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network.

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6 comments

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Morat | 8 years ago
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Are there any unions in favour of cycling? If so, Labour could be worth a punt next time round?

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brooksby replied to Morat | 8 years ago
1 like

Morat wrote:

... Labour could be worth a punt next time round?

Because that worked so well, last time...  They were practically scattering rose petals on the cycle paths of the country

Avatar
brooksby | 8 years ago
1 like

Cycling may have a better benefit:cost ratio than road or rail, but there aren't as many large conservative donor corporations involved in it. So, it will be dropped no matter what the all parties parliamentary cycling wotsit say or do.

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cat1commuter replied to brooksby | 8 years ago
1 like

brooksby wrote:

Cycling may have a better benefit:cost ratio than road or rail, but there aren't as many large conservative donor corporations involved in it. So, it will be dropped no matter what the all parties parliamentary cycling wotsit say or do.

The Conservative donor corporations who build roads ought to be able to build bike paths.

Avatar
Jacobi | 8 years ago
3 likes

"During the general election the Prime Minister supported the call for investment of at least £10 per person per year via CTC's Vote Bike campaign, along with 60 MPs"

 

During the election he would have supported the call for investment of at least £1000 per person if he thought it would have brought more votes.

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danthomascyclist | 8 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

We recently met the Prime Minister to press the case for investment in cycling and improved cycle safety. He was very supportive of our aspirations to create the conditions where cycling becomes a safe and normal means of day-to-day travel, for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

No - he was being a nodding dog. When will people learn to start judging politicians on their actions and not their words?

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