Walking and Cycling

Clive Jones, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wokingham, asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, what steps the Government is taking to promote walking and cycling. The Minister acknowledged the significant benefits of active travel, stating that it supports economic growth, health, and the net-zero mission by revitalizing high streets, improving air quality, and helping people live longer, healthier lives. He promised that the Government will embrace green and healthy transport choices and set out ambitious plans to promote safer, greener, and healthier journeys as part of an integrated transport strategy. In a follow-up question, Clive Jones raised the issue of barriers to active travel, such as old footbridges needed for crossing railways. He highlighted a case in his constituency of Wokingham, where Network Rail is replacing a footbridge at the Tan House crossing, but despite an offer from the local authority to contribute to the cost of making the bridge accessible to all, Network Rail has insisted on building a bridge that many people will never be able to use. The MP asked the Minister to review this matter with Network Rail and ensure that they are required to make their estate accessible to all in the future. Peter Swallow, the MP for Bracknell, then asked the Minister to confirm that the Government's road safety strategy will look at e-scooters, as many of his constituents are concerned about the speed at which people travel on them. The Minister responded that the Government believes micro-mobility has a vital role to play in an integrated transport system and that they are looking carefully at the e-scooter trial areas across the country, with a view to taking further steps to push this agenda forward. Finally, Josh Babarinde, the MP for Eastbourne, raised the case of his constituent, Alex, who suffered a life-changing cycling accident at the hands of an untraced driver and is now battling with the Motor Insurers' Bureau to get the compensation he deserves. The MP asked the Minister to meet with him to discuss Alex's case and how the bureau can be reformed to restore cyclists' confidence in the system. The Minister agreed to arrange the requested meeting.