Response to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy

The forum has sent the following response to the consultation on the Government’s draft Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.

Horsham District Cycling Forum is a group of volunteers who work with the local councils to make cycling a safe and attractive transport option in the Horsham District. We have read the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy and wish to submit the following response.

Main points

This strategy is unacceptable because there is:

• No sustained budget investment at a level which will make significant change.
• No commitment to introducing the national infrastructure standards needed.
• No commitment to re-designing roads to a standard where people are confident to cycle.

The document contains many good aspirations but lacks both the Investment and the Strategy to deliver them.

We are very disappointed with the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. We had expected significant progress since the Prime Minister has promised a ‘cycling revolution’, and the earlier government documents like the National Planning Policy Framework and Manual for Streets prioritise cycling and other sustainable travel options. However this strategy does not address any of the major blocks to cycling and walking becoming mass modes of transport.

No sustained budget investment at a level which will make significant change

Funding for cycling outside London will fall to 72p in a few years’ time – that is shocking for an investment strategy. At the same time the spending on road building will skyrocket to £15bn. So there is not a shortage of money for transport projects, and the government’s clear choice is to spend on motorways and trunk roads and not for cycling and walking.

The Investment Strategy itself says that sustained investment will be needed to realise the laudable ambition ‘to make cycling and walking the natural choice for shorter journeys or as part of a longer journey’. However, investment is the key area missing from the strategy. If that position is maintained the ambition will remain empty words.

No commitment to introducing the national infrastructure standards needed

Pushing responsibility for cycling provision to local authorities without giving clear standards on the quality of infrastructure to be provided will lead to a continuation of the current position when what little money is available is often squandered on sub-standard cycling schemes.

These do little or nothing to get people out of their cars and walking or cycling instead.
National design standards for cycle infrastructure are urgently needed, so that cycling infrastructure is consistent and legible on a national level. Localism will not work at a time when local government budgets are being slashed.

No commitment to re-designing roads to a standard where people are confident to cycle

Most people do not like to cycle on busy roads and they do like protected space for cycling. When cycle routes of high quality are built people will use them. Sustained budget investment is needed for building high quality infrastructure and to reduce traffic on residential roads.

Conclusion

This strategy is a big opportunity to change cycling provision for the better, but as currently planned it gives an appearance of action with no substance behind it. We have no confidence that the government has a real intention to make cycling and walking mass forms of transport, with all the benefits that would bring in terms of the health of the population, lower pollution levels, reduced congestion and benefits to the local and national economy. The strategy is not good enough.