Rugby MP welcomes £970k funding to improve cycling and walking infrastructure in Warwickshire

The funding has been awarded to Warwickshire County Council and could be used to fund measures such as School Streets, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and segregated cycle lanes.

In total, £175 million is being allocated to local authorities across England in the latest round of allocations from the fund.

Following discussions with local MPs on the subject, the Government has stipulated that councils receiving money will have to meet new conditions to ensure that schemes are properly thought out and that their impact on other road users are closely weighed up.

Councils will also have longer to spend the money, ensuring there is time to fully consult local communities.

The Government states it is committed to delivering a revolution in walking and cycling as part of its plans to level up the whole county.

To this end, the Prime Minister has pledged a record £2 billion investment to double cycling and increase walking by 2025.

Mr Pawsey said: “As many of us have tried to avoid public transport in recent months, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people opting to walk or get on their bike when getting around.

"I’ve been cycling in and out of Rugby and along our country lanes, so I am delighted that Warwickshire will benefit from additional funding to improve our area for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Enabling more people to safely use their bikes or walk will also play an important role in reducing our carbon emissions.

"Putting in place the right infrastructure to ensure that so everyone – cyclists, pedestrians and motorists – can safely use our roads will make sure this happens.

“As Rugby grows, linking up our town with reliable cycle and footpaths is important to making sure we build back better and greener so that we all have an opportunity to travel more healthily.

"This funding will enable that to happen and I look forward to seeing the new infrastructure which will be benefit local residents.”