Walking and cycling awarded £4.5billion as Labour plans nationwide overhaul of roads
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More than half of short journeys in towns and cities will be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035, according to new targets
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Labour has provided £4.5billion in funding for thousands of new walking and cycling routes, while unveiling lofty new goals to ensure people prioritise active travel.
Under new national targets announced by the Department for Transport, more than half of short journeys in towns and cities will be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035.
The new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy also calls for 60 per cent of children aged five to 16 to travel actively to school by the same year.
Using £4.5billion in funding, more than 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes will be created around the UK.
This is in addition to 10,000 safer crossings connecting homes with schools, town centres and local services by the end of the decade.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander noted: "Too many people would like to walk, wheel or cycle more often but don't feel they have safe and convenient options to do so.
"Our new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy sets out how we will change that, with ambitious targets, record levels of investment and a clear plan to make active travel a practical choice for millions more journeys."
The Labour MP for Swindon South added that the new funding and action plan were about creating healthier communities and building a transport network suitable for everyone.

The Government has provided £4.5billion in funding for active travel
|GETTY
Alongside the funding, Active Travel England has published its "Worth Every Step" delivery plan, which aims to raise standards in the design of streets.
Data shows that 8.8 billion more miles are being driven around homes now than there were 10 years ago, showing an enormous jump in local journeys.
A survey from Active Travel England also found that three in five people would be more encouraged to walk more if there were safer routes.
It aims to "realise results" by 2029 and 2030, including the completion of the schools routes programme and a comprehensive national network plan.
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10,000 safer crossings will be rolled out in the coming years
| PAActive Travel England will also ensure that consistent designs are rolled out, in addition to a nationwide delivery of simple side road zebra crossings.
Estimates from Transport for London show that the average annual cost of owning a car is £3,502, with three-quarters of people from low-income households saying that motoring costs make it hard to afford other essentials.
The report highlights that more active local trips would allow households to go from two cars to just one to save money.
Commenting on the report and funding, Health Secretary James Murray said: "The benefits of walking and cycling for our physical health, mental wellbeing and our communities are clear, and even small increases in physical activity can make a big difference.

Active Travel England is planning to overhaul rules around zebra crossings
|PA
"This investment will help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS."
Labour has touted further benefits, noting that people opting for active travel options would free up around 1.7 million GP appointments every year.
Similarly, if households gave up owning a second car in favour of active short trips, families could save around £1,700 per year on average.
Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of Living Streets, added: "This third strategy is bigger and braver than we’ve seen before. As the charity behind the country's first-ever zebra crossings, we're delighted there will be 10,000 more on our streets.
"Side road zebras and the commitment to deliver 5,000 safer routes to school will make healthier travel choices for families much easier."










