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Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, is today launching its manifesto for the General Election 2019.
It is calling on all political parties to take bold action on road transport emissions and prioritise walking and cycling, to tackle the climate crisis for future generations.
Amongst its five main recommendations, it is asking candidates to commit to a 20-minute neighbourhood planning principle for all cities and towns so that everyone can walk and cycle for their everyday services and needs.
Sustrans’ manifesto is calling on the next UK Government to take on five main asks:
1. Provide sustained long-term investment in walking and cycling. This includes at least 5% of the transport budget to be spent on walking and cycling by 2020/21, rising to at least 10% before 2024/25; and £72 million investment per year in the National Cycle Network.
2. Commit to a 20-minute neighbourhood planning principle for all cities and towns.
3. Transform the school journey to help children walk, cycle and scoot in safety and with confidence.
4. Ensure places are accessible for everyone to walk, cycle and wheel by implementing a 20mph default speed limit in all built-up areas and ban pavement parking.
5. Establish a UK-wide Greenways programme so that everyone has equal access to the natural environment.
Xavier Brice, CEO for Sustrans, said: “We are facing a climate change crisis in which emissions from transport is the primary source, and air pollution damages our health and the health of unborn babies. We keep building homes in places devoid of services making people car dependant. This is making the issues we face far worse, especially for more deprived communities.
“This manifesto sets out clear asks for the next government to show leadership on curbing road transport emissions and make walking and cycling the easiest and most convenient options for more people, regardless of gender, age and abilities as a matter of urgency. Neighbourhoods, where people live within a 20-minute walk of everyday services, will be critical to creating a healthy, zero-carbon future for everyone.”
To read the Sustrans General Election manifesto, click here.
