Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cycling and Walking

Thursday 4 November 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is investing 2 billion in active travel over the course of the Parliament, including the Mini-Hollands project.
  • Spending on cycling and walking in England has doubled from 3.50 to about 10 per head since 2010.
  • Investment includes significant funding for new secure cycle parking at railway stations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Darren Henry
Transport
Context

The MP seeks to encourage cycling and walking, likely due to environmental benefits and health improvements.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to encourage the uptake of cycling and walking. My hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe would have asked a supplementary question about areas in his constituency, Mini-Hollands and how they can change people's behaviour when it comes to cycling.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

My Department is investing an unprecedented £2 billion in active travel over the course of this Parliament. This includes Mini-Hollands, with expressions of interest from more than 30 local authorities wishing to build them. The feasibility study will be received in the next financial year.

Answered
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Q2 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Transport
Context

The MP points out the significant difference in active travel budgets between Scotland (10% of transport budget) and England (£7 per head). He questions why the Department is underfunding active travel.

Question

Scotland's active travel budget will soon amount to 10% of the transport budget, which means that at least £320 million a year—nearly £60 per person in Scotland—will be spent on walking and wheeling. The Department for Transport plans to spend less than £7 per head. Now that he has seen the proof, why is the Department short-changing active travel in England?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Spending on cycling and walking in England has doubled from a paltry £3.50 per head in 2010 to about £10 per head now, and given the massive increase in spending on cycling and walking—the largest ever in this Parliament as a result of the Prime Minister's “Gear Change” plans—that will continue to increase.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discrepancy between Scotland and England was not addressed directly.

How: The Figures Are Not Correct

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Q3 Robert Goodwill Con
Transport
Context

The MP seeks to highlight the importance of cycle parking facilities at railway stations.

Question

Does the Minister, who is also the Rail Minister, agree that a key element of any cycling and walking plan should be better parking provision for cycles at railway stations?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Absolutely, one of the best gala dinners I have ever attended was the “cycle to rail” gala dinner, where awards were given for the best schemes of that kind. We are investing a huge amount of money in new, secure cycle parking around the country.

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