Wales puts £50 million up for cycle route development
The Welsh Government has announced a £50 million investment set for cycling infrastructure projects and initiatives to encourage people in Wales out of cars and on to active transport forms.
The budget revelation was revealed upon a visit to cycling charity Pedal Power by Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters.
He said: “This is a substantial investment and part of our commitment to making cycling easier so people cut the amount of journeys they take by car and travel in a way that is better for our planet.
“Getting people out of cars for short journeys and encouraging them to walk or cycle instead is a huge challenge for us, but one that has to be met if we are to reach our net zero carbon emission target by 2050.
“We need to make sure that we have the right infrastructure and routes in place so that people have the choice of cycling for their everyday journeys – we need to make the right thing to do, the easy thing to do.”
Local authorities in Wales will receive no less than £500,000 each, with some taking on a larger slice where ambitious plans for the potential funding exist. The grants can be found here in detail.
Pedal Power is one organisation that will benefit from the Welsh equivalent of the e-bike pilot scheme. Putting to use £210,000, the charity has created a ‘See Cycling Differently’ project designed to build on engaging new cyclists across a broader demographic.
Director of Pedal Power, Cardiff, Sian Donovan said: “Cycling is a fantastic way for everyone – all ages and abilities – to have fun, gain more independence and enjoy a sense of freedom which we know has provided a lifeline to many during the pandemic.
“We were delighted to receive funding from the Welsh Government to help us to continue to remove barriers to cycling so that it can be truly accessible and inclusive for all.”
Elsewhere, England has seen a £200 million allocation split between the newly-formed Active Travel England body and the Sustrans managed National Cycle Network. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland looks to be edging closer to a historic spend on active travel with more than half of those elected recently having backed the idea of a 10% transport budget allocation for active travel means.
