The Secretary of State for Health, James Murray, has welcomed the government’s new cycling and walking investment strategy, which aims to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings, connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services over the next five years.
The strategy introduces new targets for more than half of short journeys in towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035 and for 60% of children aged between five and sixteen to travel actively to school by the same year.
The targets are backed by a projected government investment of over £4.5 billion and delivery will involve working with Active Travel England and local authorities.
“The benefits of walking and cycling for our physical health, mental wellbeing and our communities are clear, and even small increases in physical activity can make a big difference. This investment will help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS,” says James Murray.
“Published alongside Active Travel England’s Worth Every Step delivery plan, the strategy sets out how investment in active travel can save households money, improve public health, cut congestion, reduce carbon emissions and support local economies.
“By getting more people adopting healthier lifestyles, it would free up around 1.7 million GP appointments every year and lead to 4.4 million fewer sick days.”
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman adds: “Every journey made on foot, wheeling or cycling, delivers value - to the person making it, to the community around them and to the economy. It keeps money in our pockets, makes us healthier and happier and boosts our local economy.
“Yet too many of our streets do not yet make those journeys feel safe, easy or inviting. Our Worth Every Step delivery plan will change that. And it starts with where we’ll get the biggest impact: a more active school run and simple zebra crossings to transform local trips.
“It’s time to make the cheapest and healthiest way to travel, the easiest way to travel. When streets work for people, everything else follows.
“The strategy marks a new cross-government approach to active travel, bringing together transport, health and investment while giving local leaders a greater role in shaping delivery to meet the needs of their communities.”
