Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cycling and Walking

Thursday 3 February 2022 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ruth Cadbury expressed concern over the 2 billion allocated for cycling and walking, suggesting it is insufficient.
  • The Minister confirmed the appointment of Chris Boardman as acting CEO of Active Travel England.
  • The Minister stated that the 2 billion investment is unprecedented for walking and cycling over the current parliamentary period.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the adequacy of funding for cycling and walking infrastructure, referencing previous research suggesting a shortfall in the £2 billion allocated by the Treasury.

Question

I am concerned that the Treasury has clearly decided that £2 billion is all the ringfenced funding that will be allocated for cycling and walking, but the Department for Transport commissioned research several years ago that apparently says this £2 billion is only a quarter to a third of what is needed to meet the stated aims of the Government to increase cycling and walking by 2025. Can I ask if she will now publish this research?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

I am delighted to confirm that we have now appointed Chris Boardman as the acting CEO of Active Travel England. However, I would like to put on record my thanks to the hon. Member for the work she does on the all-party parliamentary group on cycling and walking.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The research publication request was not addressed specifically

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Q2 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Transport
Context

A constituent of the MP, who cycles for 10 hours a week, is concerned about advice in the new code that suggests cyclists should cycle in the centre of carriageways on narrow roads.

Question

I always cycle close to the kerb because I am also a driver and want to accommodate drivers. The advice in the new code that I should cycle in the centre of the carriageway is bonkers, isn't it?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

I would like to stress that that advice is only on narrow roads. I am delighted that my right hon. Friend has embraced cycling, because we want to see half of the journeys made in towns and cities walked or cycled by 2030.

Not addressed: The specific concern about advice was not addressed

How: Changed Subject Entirely

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Q3 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the adequacy of funding for cycling and walking infrastructure, referencing previous research suggesting a shortfall in the £2 billion allocated by the Treasury.

Question

I thank the Minister for the answer. I am concerned that the Treasury has clearly decided that £2 billion is all the ringfenced funding that will be allocated for cycling and walking, but the Department for Transport commissioned research several years ago that apparently says this £2 billion is only a quarter to a third of what is needed to meet the stated aims of the Government to increase cycling and walking by 2025. Can I ask if she will now publish this research?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

I am delighted to confirm that we have now appointed Chris Boardman as the acting CEO of Active Travel England, which I will be meeting after this session. The £2 billion is an unprecedented amount to be investing in walking and cycling over this Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The research publication request was not addressed specifically

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