Active Travel Newcastle upon Tyne 2024-03-21
2024-03-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is seeking information on the government's actions to support walking, cycling, and other forms of active travel.
What steps he is taking to support active travel in Newcastle upon Tyne. I am concerned about supporting walking, cycling, and other active travel measures in my constituency.
This Government are investing more than any other in active travel. Around £15 million has been provided to Newcastle upon Tyne since 2020-21 to deliver high-quality infrastructure. That is supported by over £2 million of funding to Transport North East to improve capability across the region.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references the significant health benefits of active travel and its economic impact. She notes that many residents wish to walk or cycle more but require safer streets.
Walking and cycling prevent 1,500 serious long-term health conditions on Tyneside every year, according to the walking and cycling index, and they bring in £400 million in economic benefits. So it is no wonder that half of Tynesiders want to walk or wheel more, and that two fifths want to cycle more. If they are to do that, the streets need to be made safer. What is the Minister doing, apart from undermining low traffic neighbourhoods, to make our streets safer for walking, wheeling and cycling?
With great respect to the hon. Lady, she knows full well that her council attempted to have an active travel scheme in Jesmond, and it so messed it up that it had to scrap the scheme. The LTN was scrapped, and there were 23,000 objections and a considerable waste of money.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific actions being taken to make streets safer for walking, wheeling, and cycling but instead criticized the council's previous scheme.
Criticized The Council'S Previous Scheme
Mentioned Objections
Response accuracy