Dewsbury schemes would ‘harness’ healthy changes made during lockdown

West Yorkshire Combined Authority endorsed a number of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans for the district.

The plans were drawn up before the Coronavirus pandemic, after Government suggested all regions develop active travel plans.

Members were told that in the current climate the proposals could “harness” the changes people have made during lockdown, including walking and cycling more often.

The Government has made similar claims, and recently pledged £250 million nationally to boost “active travel” schemes, making it easier for people to walk and cycle.

But the Authority was told that this money has yet to materialise, and the Government had given no indication of when it would

Kirklees would have a cycle network in East Huddersfield and a walking network in Dewsbury town centre.

Councillor Kim Groves, chair of the authority’s transport committee said: “We hope this will encourage more people to use active travel. I can’t emphasise how important it will be in the recovery from Covid.

“The government has reflected that with their recent announcement of £250 million emergency funding.

“The Districts are getting on with developing schemes, but that funding hasn’t reached local government at this point, and there is no indication of when that funding will come.

“We hope these schemes will enable more people to walk or cycle short every day journeys.

“We really need to capture and harness the changes people have made to their lives through the Covid situation.

“There are currently more people cycling, I’ve heard it’s very hard to get hold of a cycle, and walking, and it is important we encourage that going forward.”

Coun Groves was asked if there was any indication when the government funding would arrive. She said: “I had a call with the Department for Transport yesterday and they gave no indication of when the fund will be available, how it will be divided among the country and what mechanism they’ll give to us to implement it.

“It is very unclear and really unhelpful because we have officers with good ideas and schemes that are ready to go, but at the moment we can’t get on with it.”