Whether it is a child walking safely to school, an older resident crossing a busy road, or someone cycling to work instead of sitting in traffic, investing in walking and cycling is about making everyday journeys easier, safer and healthier. But it’s also about much more than transport. It is an investment in public health, economic growth, a cleaner environment and stronger communities.
The Government’s new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy highlights the value of investing in walking and cycling. The evidence is clear, walking and cycling help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes and poor mental health, improving lives while reducing costs to the NHS. When more people choose to walk, cycle or wheel for shorter journeys, there is less traffic on the roads, particularly during the school run when roads are at their busiest. It also improves air quality, reduces carbon emissions and helps residents save money on everyday travel costs.
It is not about forcing people out of their cars, but about giving people practical alternatives where they make sense, and dealing with the things that discourage them from doing so. We’ll do it alongside investing more in maintaining the roads and supporting bus services, thanks to a general increase in government funding of transport.
Over the past two years in Wokingham we have delivered eight new pedestrian crossings, with a further thirteen currently in the pipeline between the council, developers and town and parish councils. We have started replacing outdated barriers that made it difficult for people to get around using bicycles, pushchairs or mobility aids.
We know that concerns about road safety can discourage people from walking and cycling, particularly families and children. That is why improving safety is at the heart of our work. Through our Safe Routes to Schools programme, we are identifying and addressing hazards, not only at school gates but along the routes that pupils and parents use every day.
We are also working to make streets safer and more pleasant places to live. More than 800 people responded to our Safer Streets consultation, identifying locations where lower speed limits could help. Evidence shows that appropriately set speed limits reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for everyone.
Many of the changes will come through new developments, with neighbourhoods designed around people rather than cars, with schools, shops and community facilities reached easily on foot or by bike. Developers are also funding connections between communities, making it easier for people to travel for work, education and leisure without always needing to drive.
The Government has ambitious targets to increase the number of short journeys made by walking and cycling and for children to walk and cycle to school. The money for this isn’t new, but already in existing transport grants. In Wokingham, we are focusing on practical improvements that make a real difference in people’s daily lives, delivering changes that improve safety, accessibility and convenience across the borough.
The aim is simple: safer routes to school, healthier communities, less congestion and more attractive towns and villages where people want to socialise and shop. By making it easier for people to choose to walk, wheel and cycle we can create places that work better for everyone and help ensure our borough remains a great place to live, work, learn and play.
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, Executive Councillor for Active Travel, Transport and Highways
