The LGA has called for active travel funding to be restored to councils, in response to a report that found funding uncertainty has held back ambitions in this area.
The National Audit Office, Parliament’s financial watchdog, has reported that the Government is “not on track” to meet its objectives to increase rates of cycling and walking.
Cllr Linda Taylor, LGA Transport Spokesperson, said: “Councils have been at the forefront in creating new active travel schemes, and have embraced the Government’s ambition that 50 per cent of all journeys in English towns and cities are walked or cycled by 2030, and for the UK to be net zero by 2050. As this report rightly highlights, they can only continue to do this with long-term certainty for vital local projects that help to cut congestion and make our air cleaner.
“It is therefore disappointing that councils have seen an unexpected £200 million cut to their budgets for these projects, and the Government should urgently restore this much-needed funding.
“This will allow councils to plan a pipeline of active travel infrastructure investments, engage more effectively with local communities, and invest in necessary skills and capacity for their own staff.”