Sustrans welcomes cycling funding ring fencing

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has welcomed this week’s Local Transport White Paper and guidance for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).

The organisation has praised the move to ‘ring fence’ cash for cycling, walking and public transport, but cautioned over the tightening grip of cuts on local services. Government local transport funding cuts will hit 26 per cent for 2011/2012.

The Fund is dedicated to reduce carbon emissions and support the economy, something which can be acheived through reducing car use and getting more people walking, cycling and using public transport, says Sustrans.

Sustrans’ Chief Executive Malcolm Shepherd: “The Local Sustainable Transport Fund is timely and welcome but there’s a compelling argument for a far greater proportion of transport spend to be earmarked to increase people’s local travel choices, especially at a time when local transport spending is set to be reduced by over a quarter next year.

“From Sustrans’ work we know that investment in sustainable transport is low risk with the potential for high returns. As local authorities now consider their bid for funding we would urge them to unlock massive potential for change and expand the choices people have for getting around locally by walking, cycling or using public transport."

The Local Sustainable Transport Fund was announced following the axing of Cycling England.