No word on funding for cycling projects

Herefordshire Council chiefs say they have no knowledge of the £2m for cycling and walking schemes that Prime Minister Boris Johnson talked of during his visit to Hereford.

Mr Johnson said the investment had been approved while at Hereford County Hospital on August 11.

But transport bosses at Plough Lane are yet to be given any details of the promised funding.

“When I was mayor of London I used to cycle 30 miles a day easily,” Mr Johnson said during his visit.

“I think cycling is a fantastic thing to do. We have just put another £2 million into Herefordshire to support cycling and walking schemes.

“There is much more that we want to do. There is a paradox that cycling in rural areas on often quite fast A and B road can be scarier particularly for less confident cyclists.

“We need to think as we take forward our cycling revolution how we encourage people to cycle in rural areas as well.”
Infrastructure and transport cabinet member John Harrington said he was keen to hear more about the funding.

“I was interested to hear the PM quoted as saying there was £2 million on its way to the county for active travel measures but so far we have no knowledge of it, nor do our contacts at the Department for Transport,” he said.

“I do understand that both the Prime Minister and Jesse Norman MP are keen for Herefordshire to have stronger investment in cycling and walking infrastructure so await an update and thank them both for their commitment to the county and supporting the modal shift in the city and county.”

In May, the Government announced a £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking across the UK.