Department for Infrastructure U-turns on school cycle cuts

Thanks in no small part to Cycling UK and Sustrans, the Department for Infrastructure (dfI) has dropped proposed funding cuts to the Active School Travel Programme, with (120) schools, parents and carers also uniting against the cuts.

Northern Ireland’s DfI has now pledged to U-turn on the school cycle cuts and retain sufficient funding to allow the programme to continue for the 2023/2024 school year.

The funding cut was expected to hit the Sustrans-led Active School programme, which helps pupils develop the skills to walk and cycle safely to school in 48% of schools.

Funding cuts for cycle-related projects have been a recurring theme in 2023, with Sustrans Scotland facing staff cuts following demands for “substantial savings” from the government.

Cycling UK and Sustrans highlighted to the department that cutting the programme they would have had a detrimental impact on children across Northern Ireland, potentially locking in car dependency for another generation and making net-zero goals more difficult to achieve.

Andrew McClean, Cycling UK’s spokesperson in Northern Ireland said:
“This is a victory for common sense and will benefit the future generations of Northern Ireland. Cycling UK applauds DfI for listening to parents, schools and individuals on the impact and importance of teaching cycling and walking to children across Northern Ireland.

“Civil servants are having to make difficult decisions in the face of budgets cuts and in the absence of a Minister and an Assembly, but this reversal is the right decision for a greener and healthier Northern Ireland. Officials have recognised minor savings from cutting the Active School Travel programme is disproportional to the huge benefits it delivers in schools and local communities.

“Cycling UK hopes this is a sign of positive change within DfI, as Northern Ireland needs to see investment in active travel as a long-term saving. Every person we can support and encourage to drive less, and cycle – or walk – more instead will lead to better health, cleaner air, and more pleasant communities across Northern Ireland.”

IMAGE CREDIT: Cycling UK