It's yet more good news for cyclists and walkers as another £850,000-plus to support new schemes to encourage more people to leave the car at home has been secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, which is led by Mayor Dan Norris.
Plans include new pedestrian crossings on Concorde Way and a new parallel crossing off New Road as well as free cycle training lessons for adults, children and families at venues across the West of England, grants to promote walking and cycling, plus other schemes in the works. Over half of people in the West think there should be more investment in walking and cycling schemes, according to the charity Sustrans.
Dan Norris, who leads the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, has invested more than £14 million in boosting walking and cycling since his election in May 2021. He said:
“A major priority for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is encouraging as many locals as possible to walk and cycle, especially for shorter everyday journeys.
“This is yet more great news for local people who want to hop on two wheels or get from A to B by taking a stroll and getting some fresh air in the process.
“I am proud that the Mayoral Combined Authority is getting on with delivering vital schemes to promote and boost walking and cycling for the health and other reasons we all know about, not least to cut those traffic jams and slash our emissions at pace.”
Schemes already funded by Mr Norris’s West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to boost cycling and walking include schemes improving the region’s cycle routes such as via the 'Yate Spur' project linking the area with the East Fringe and the Old Market 'gap' route in Bristol city centre.