Derbyshire will benefit from £2,216,000 to make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists in the High Peak.
The area has been allocated its share of the £250 million announced earlier this month to fast-track plans for new walking and cycling lanes. This includes £25 million which will fund vouchers for cycle repairs, to encourage people to get their old bikes out of the shed and go cycling again in the High Peak.
Following unprecedented levels of walking and cycling across the country during the pandemic, these plans will help encourage more people in the High Peak to choose alternatives to public transport when they need to travel, making healthier habits easier, and helping make sure the road, bus and rail networks are ready to respond to future increases in demand.
Measures to boost greener, active transport could include:
• Pop-up bike lanes with protected space for cycling;
• Wider pavements;
• Safer junctions; and
• Cycle and bus-only corridors.
An updated Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy will be launched by the Government in the summer, with further measures to transform cycling and walking to double cycling and increase walking by 2025.
Robert Largan MP commented:
“People across the High Peak are playing their part in helping to defeat Coronavirus, with many doing their bit by avoiding taking public transport.
“It is vitally important that we continue social distancing. These new walking and cycle lanes will help to ensure we can control the virus by avoiding overcrowding on public transport, while keeping High Peak roads free from congestion.
“This funding will not only help to control the spread of Coronavirus, but will also ensure the High Peak is greener in the years to come.”