Cllr Timothy Huxtable welcomes new transformational funding for cheaper, greener and active travel across Birmingham & the West Midlands.

Cllr Timothy Huxtable has welcomed £17.25 million of Conservative Government funding for new walking and cycling schemes across the West Midlands, cleaning our air and making it easier to travel around and keep active.

The Conservative Government’s £200 million Active Travel Fund marks the ‘golden age’ of cycling and walking – enabling communities across the country to get out on their bikes and enjoy cheaper, cleaner and greener travel across their area.

This includes £17.25 million of funding for the West Midlands to deliver schemes such as new footways, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings.

The Government has also confirmed it will inject £35 million to improving the quality, safety and accessibility of the National Cycle Network, a UK-wide network of paths and routes for walking, cycling or wheeling managed by the independent charity Sustrans. The new funding will see 44 off-road-sections of the Network upgraded to ensure they endure for years to come.  

This announcement is the next phase of an initial £2 billion investment up to 2025 to put in place connected local routes to give people the choice to walk or ride instead of driving – cleaning our air giving people more choice of travel around their local community.

• Thanks to the Conservative Government, millions of people across the country will benefit from healthier, free, local journeys in a boost to air quality and people’s physical and mental health.
• This funding will improve low-carbon infrastructure and boost local economies, whilst getting people outside and moving.

Cllr Timothy Huxtable, Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment said:

“As your Local Conservatives our focus is on greener and cheaper travel to slash emissions and address the cost of living, it is vital we provide communities with the infrastructure they need to enjoy active travel. Our message here in Birmingham is clear – the more choice people have the better, Birmingham Labour’s approach of dictating and restricting has torn communities in our city apart and failed to bring people on board with the changes we need to make.

“I am delighted the Conservative Government will be committing £17.25 million across the West Midlands marking the Government’s longstanding commitment to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of walking and cycling routes and I look forward to working with our Mayor, Andy Street, to ensure that this money is spent in the right areas and with full consultation.

“Providing the infrastructure to boost active, green and cheaper travel not only cleans our air but increases the choice of travel and makes it easier for people to keep active.”

Transport minister Trudy Harrison said:

“This multi-million-pound investment will ensure people right across the country can access cheap, healthy and zero-emission travel. 

“Active Travel England will be working hard to create a new golden age of walking and cycling, enabling everyone to reap the benefits of a more active lifestyle, creating streets where children can play, and making nicer places to live.”