Thank you for contacting me about cycling and walking.
As well as being greener, active travel helps to reduce pressure on public transport and the road network.
The Government invested over £850 million in active travel between 2020/21 and 2022/23. It has also committed to spending at least a further £100 million capital into active travel over the remainder of the spending period, as part of a £3 billion investment in active travel over the course of this Parliament.
The newest version of the Highway Code introduces a ‘hierarchy of road users’, a concept whereby the road users able to do the greatest harm are bestowed the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to other road users. The hierarchy is designed to bring about a more mutually respectful and considerate culture of safe and effective road use that benefits all users. At the top of the hierarchy is pedestrians (in particular children) older adults and disabled people, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.
I continue to support local efforts to improve our cycle path network, most notably the ongoing work by Devon County Council to complete the Teign Estuary Trail, as well as the improved cycle link proposed between Newton Abbot and Torquay. The ambitious goal of a dedicated cycle route running all the way from Newton Abbot through Teignmouth and Dawlish and on to Exeter would be a huge boon for the area, and I will continue to lobby for the funding to enable its delivery.
Thank you again for contacting me.
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