Press Releases for 2004

COUNCILS SHOULD KEEP TO CYCLING TARGETS GOVERNMENT ABANDONS TARGETS FOR CYCLING

29 July 2004

The Government has abandoned targets for increasing cycling in the UK, despite the need to cut traffic congestion in urban areas and reduce air pollution (1). East Kent Green Party is writing to all of East Kent's local councils asking them to maintain or improve upon cycling targets and to make higher priorities of both walking and cycling networks. Government commitment to quadruple cycle use come from the National Cycling Strategy targets of 1996, which were later included in John Prescott's 10-year transport plan. These targets are to be replaced by as yet undisclosed local targets. Steve Dawe comments:

"Local councils have not received extra funding to meet cycling targets despite this being Government policy since 1996. Profligate spending on roads by the Government has continued and is being increased. We have Government ministers promoting road use, road construction and congestion whilst other ministers point to the need to cut air pollution to improve public health, reduce pressures on the NHS and to cut greenhouse gas emissions. "Joined-up Government would mean using more of our taxes in local government, including creating full cycling and walking networks in each district council area. East Kent Green Party is urging local councils to stick to a minimum target of quadrupling cycle use by 2010 and to exceed this target if possible. We are also urging a transfer of funds away from spending on roads to help fund this objective. Greens believe there will be economic benefits in terms of increased tourism and quicker short-distance movement of goods on roads if Councils are successful in increasing cycling and walking." ENDS c276 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe Press Officer, East Kent Green Party, on 01233 645167 or 07904 382203. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH

Notes: 1. For the Government's own press release and links through to the full paper, see:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/strategy/futureoftransport/pressnotice.htm For the part relating to cycling targets in particular, see: http://www.dft.gov.uk/strategy/futureoftransport/chapter6/challenge.htm

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