Milton Keynes is set to receive more than £1.1 million of funding from the Conservative Government to boost cycling and walking across the city.
Local MPs Ben Everitt (Milton Keynes North) and Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) have hailed the decision as a move which will provide health benefits, boost the economy and help tackle climate change.
The latest round of Government funding will provide a boost to high streets and local businesses across the country and transform the school run for tens of thousands of children, generating up to 16 million extra walking and cycling trips a year.
Alongside the environmental benefits, the plans will help ease congestion across cities, with people choosing more active choices that can benefit their mental and physical health and wellbeing and relieve pressure on the NHS.
Active travel is also estimated to bring a £36.5 billion boost to the economy in a year through increased high street spending and better access to jobs, delivering on the Government’s priority to grow the economy.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “It’s extremely exciting the Conservative Government is investing in walking and cycling here in Milton Keynes.
“Milton Keynes’ unique grid roads and Redways system mean we have the perfect opportunity to encourage more and more people to walk and cycle.
“I hope the council will use this money to get back to the principles our city was built on rather than their drift away from it we’ve seen under the Labour-Lib Dem council in recent years.”
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, said: “I am delighted that the Conservative Government has provided £1.1 million of funding to Milton Keynes to see more constituents walk and cycle.
“As we all know, Milton Keynes has the Redways and many green, open spaces that we all enjoy using to walk and cycle at its very core, which provide many health benefits and connectivity opportunities.
“It is my hope that the Labour-run council will make the most of yet another opportunity of funding from the Conservatives!”
Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, commented: “We want to make sure everyone across the country can choose cheaper, greener and healthier travel while we continue to support our local businesses and grow the economy.
“This £200 million investment will improve road safety, ease congestion and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of the millions of people choosing active travel.”
Government funding has meant cycling across England has continued to thrive and is up 11% on pre-pandemic levels, increasing by more than 20% in the past 10 years.