Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has announced £104m to help 'maintain and expand' the 12,000-mile National Cycle Network.
Ms Alexander suggested that the money would focus on 'fixing bridges and updating signage, as well as developing new routes around the High Speed Two (HS2) line'.
She made the announcement in a keynote address at Active Travel England's (ATE) conference this week, in which she linked active travel to prime minister Andy Burnham's wider political agenda, particularly building growth in local places around the country.
'If we're serious about giving people the choice and the tools to get out and get on, then the days of active travel being an afterthought, or a bolt-on, must end...I can think of few better ways to deliver on the Prime Minister's vision than by going hell for leather on active travel,' she said.
'When Andy talks of places in which we're proud to live, I see roads that are less congested and more safe. High streets with a new lease of life. Women and girls able to breathe a little easier when walking home alone. And when Andy talks of Britain back on its feet, I see the sick days we avoid, the productivity we gain, and the burden we lift on the NHS – all by being more active.'
She also suggested that 'billions will be invested in active travel by 2030' with reference to the latest cycling and walking investment strategy'.
When the strategy was first unveiled in the summer, the Government outlined an 'expectation' of £4.5bn spending for active travel over five years.
However, as Highways reported at the time the projected cash investment comes from a range of sources, none of which are ringfenced and only around a quarter of the money is earmarked specifically for active travel - the DfT is providing £1.1bn to ATE over the period of CWIS 3 for active travel, a departmental spokesperson confirmed.
The National Cycle Network is a UK-wide network of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling, cycling and exploring outdoors, brought to you by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
