Pedal power is the name of the game as Metro Mayor Dan Norris announced he has secured £3.6 million of new funding from the government to boost cycling and walking across the West of England. The focus will be encouraging local people to travel by bike for those shorter everyday journeys.
The Mayor wants to make it easier and more secure to park your bike, which is why there will be new and upgraded facilities in the Old City, as well as a whole range of improvements for pedestrians – plus an additional 80 cycle hangars right across Bristol, Bath and NE Somerset, and South Glos, Mr Norris confirmed.
Meanwhile, the cash will also be invested to improve cycle lanes – with plans to deliver new and improved cycle routes and tracks on Deanery Road and the Malago Greenway, as well as walking and cycling improvements linking Redcross Street to Braggs Lane in the offing.
And Warmley and Longwell Green residents could see a host of improvements to provide a much-improved cycling route and access between the two areas, the Mayor added.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “If we are going to cut the jams and reduce pollution, one tool in our arsenal has to be more cycling and walking. To be a natural choice, getting on a bike has to be a safe, pleasant and convenient experience. Cycling shouldn’t be the preserve of the lycra-clad super fit but for as many people as possible.
“That means segregated cycle lanes, so people feel safe and somewhere secure to lock up their bike - plus much, much more. Winning this cash is a testament to our confidence in our plan in the West of England to make walking and cycling the natural choice for shorter everyday journeys. This is another step along that path as we take necessary action to reach our ambitious West of England net-zero target.”
This money builds on the £10 million-plus previously secured by Mayor Norris from ministers for walking, cycling and wheeling schemes in the West of England region.
