Government announce £2 billion funding for cycling and walking projects

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said many people had taken up cycling and walking during the lockdown, saying in some places there has been a 70% rise in the number of people on bikes for exercise or travel.

He said: “Whilst it’s crucial that we stay at home, when the country does get back to work we need to ask those people to carry on cycling or walking and for them to be joined by many others as well.” Announcing a £2 billion package “to put cycling and walking at the heart of our transport policy”, he said a national cycling plan will be published in early June to help double cycling and increase walking by 2025.

He said measures will include pop-up bike lanes and wider pavements as well as cycle and bus-only streets.