Thank you for contacting me about Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).
Firstly, and as I have said before, I am pleased with the progress we have made since 2010 to encourage more cycling and walking. Spending per head on cycling and walking has more than trebled since 2010, and about £2 billion is now being invested in cycling and walking over the current Parliament. This is through the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment strategy, and through additional investments by local councils and metro mayors.
I have made representations to the Transport Minister and was encouraged to hear that Worcestershire County Council will receive over £100,000 throughout this financial year to enable every schoolchild to participate in Bikeability, a programme which helps build and give everyone the skills and confidence for all kinds of cycling.
More broadly, I want to see walking and cycling become the natural choices for shorter journeys, or as part of a longer journey. I welcome that to support local bodies that are interested in increasing cycling and walking in their local areas, the Government has published guidance on the preparation of LCWIPs. The guidance will enable local bodies to take a more strategic approach to improving conditions for cycling and walking. The Department for Transport is also providing a £2 million package of technical and strategic support to 46 local authorities to assist with the preparation of LCWIPs, and I will be making the case for Worcestershire to get its share as a future pilot area when more details about future funding is announced in the forthcoming Spending Review.
I further agree with your comments on the benefits of cycling from a health and environmental perspective. At both local and national level I am happy to make the case of cycling and cyclists and will raise the matter with appropriate ministers.
Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch.
