Liberal Democrat MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, has this week announced on behalf of the government a £15million growth package for cycling and walking measures that will support economic growth and help to cut carbon, whilst promoting a healthier lifestyle.

The funding is in addition to the £560million Local Sustainable Transport Fund which the local MP announced on behalf of the government early last year, and is geared heavily towards cycling and the supporting of jobs, accessibility to employment and the promotion of environmentally friendly forms of travel.

Sustrans, the UK transport charity will receive £8million to enhance cycle routes. The remaining £7million will go to the Cycle Rail Working Group which brings together the rail industry and cycling sector and will be spent at a local level to improve integration between cycle and rail at stations, such as additional cycle racks and storage, safer and more convenient racks, and increased accessibility for cyclists.

Norman says: “Cycling and walking are great, healthy and cheap ways to get around and I am delighted to be able to announce this multimillion pound fund to support cycling in particular. It complements greatly the £560million fund that I announced last year and will benefit local, environmentally friendly transport projects.

“I am clear that we need to continue build on the huge investment we have already made in encouraging greener transportation, and one of the best ways to do this is to make it a convenient alternative. Improving cycle routes and integration between rail and cycling is central to achieving such convenience and this fund has been announced to do just that.”