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Mayor shares his delight and commitment to Active Travel after positive meeting with Department for Transport

Mayor shares his delight and commitment to Active Travel after positive meeting with Department for Transport

After a successful meeting with the Transport Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering effective Active Travel schemes in the region and including them within the development of the new Local Transport and Connectivity Plan to be released next year.

It is important to acknowledge the government was disappointed with the outcomes of previous schemes and understandably withheld funding.

Active Travel funding comes with conditions.

The team at the Department for Transport was keen to see a meaningful commitment from the Combined Authority to implement effective active travel schemes.

During the meeting it was clear that both the minister and the Mayor shared the same determination to get people embracing a healthier and more active lifestyle.

The Combined Authority is committed to enlarging and increasing active travel plans in the area.

As part of this commitment, we are determined to continue co-operating with all local authorities to ensure value for money, to promote public health improvements, and to deliver meaningful change for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said:

“As a children’s doctor I know the effects that air pollution has on young people’s general health. In the past couple of weeks, I was shocked to see Cambridge City having warnings regarding exercising outside due to the levels of air pollution. This cannot go on. I want not just for my 3 children, but for all children in Cambridgeshire to live in an area where they can breathe clean and healthy air.

I recognise the previous controversies surrounding schemes such as the Mill Road Bridge closure and the Crescent Bridge active travel schemes. I support the direction of travel around restricting traffic movements in these areas, subject to a full and meaningful consultation which will deliver the improvements in air quality and lifestyle, which are so important to my ambition to placing public health at the heart of all policy.

Understandably, the government needs guarantees that public money for active travel schemes is being well spent and delivers for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They have given us reassurances that the money will become forthcoming if these can be met.

I will continue to work co-operatively with the government and all local interested parties to ensure the successful delivery of future active travel funding, which will benefit all communities here in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”