Walking and cycling plan welcomed by town's MP

At least 60% of children in England should be walking or cycling to school within a decade under government plans that have been enthusiastically welcomed by Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley.

And she says towns like Shrewsbury, where traffic congestion has always been a problem, will especially benefit.

“This new strategy will boost public health, cut congestion, improve air quality and lower transport costs,” says Mrs Buckley. “And in places like Shrewsbury, with its traffic congestion, the benefits of this will be especially welcome.”

“It’s good news for people staying healthy and it’s good news for the planet,” she said.

The Government is to invest £4.5bn in its new Active Travel Strategy which will run over five years to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer, easier and more accessible for everyone.

Mrs Buckley said: “The plan has ambitious targets – like 55% of short journeys by active travel and 60% of children walking or cycling to school by 2035. I’m hopeful that it’ll generate a new keenness among people to either walk or cycle rather than use cars.

“This plan will mean safer streets, better local routes and more affordable ways to get around, helping people in in places like Shrewsbury live healthier lives while cutting congestion.”

Government ministers say millions more five-to-16-year-olds will be able to travel by foot or bike using thousands of safer routes promised under its ‘record’ £4.5bn investment strategy.

At least half of all short trips in towns and cities should also be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035 and a ‘national walking and cycling network’ will be available on route mapping apps within five years, under the plans.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the strategy aimed to make active travel ‘a practical choice for millions more journeys’.