The Chancellor has today (27 October 2021) presented his multi-year Spending Review, setting out how the Government will deliver on its agenda to build back better, level up across the UK, transition to net zero, and advance global Britain.

The budget includes confirmation of a £2bn investment in the second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2).

Stephen Edwards, Interim Chief Executive, Living Streets said:

 “Walking is the cheapest, greenest, healthiest transport there is. It’s the best way to reduce congestion, tackle inactivity and clean up our air. The £2bn investment will make it easier, safer and more attractive for people to choose cleaner ways to travel and put us on track to get to Net Zero by 2050 or before.

“A multi-year settlement will provide local authorities with a solid base to build and retain active travel expertise, plan for the future and achieve long-lasting results.  We look forward to working with our partners in these regions to ensure effective delivery and implementation of targeted walking schemes.

“Currently less than a third of journeys in towns and cities are walked or cycled. The government has an ambition to increase this to 50 per cent. The lion’s share of these will be walking trips. Continuous, long-term investment, political will and dedicated targets for walking in the second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy are needed to ensure this is achieved.”