£2.5m to improve cycling and walking infrastructure in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has secured £2.5m worth of funding to improve cycling and walking infrastructure across the region. 

In partnership with local authorities, the combined authority will deliver a wide-ranging programme to trial new walking and cycling measures.  

The measures will include protected cycle lanes along key routes into towns and city centres and new temporary cycle lanes by reallocating road space.

New walking and cycling zones will also be created in Brighouse, Elland, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden in Swaledale. 

The combined authority through its CityConnect programme will also provide increased support to help encourage people to travel by bike. This will include support for businesses and community groups as well as free adult cycle training and e-cargo bike loans. 

Pavements will be widened and road crossings will be improved to make it easier for people to access shops and local services on foot – while also maintaining social distancing.

Cllr Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: ‘We are pleased that the Government has recognised our ambition to put cycling and walking at the centre of our response to the transport challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘The plan for future investment in cycling and walking, announced yesterday, will help us build on the significant progress we’ve already made to enable more people to travel by bike and on foot — and, indeed, strengthens our future plans for the £317 million Transforming Cities Fund announced earlier this year.

‘New research is showing we need to increase cycling and walking trips by at least 2,000% and 78% respectively to achieve our aim of becoming a net-zero carbon economy by 2038.

‘Long-term, sustainable and flexible Government funding is absolutely vital in helping us meet these ambitions.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay