While it is wonderful news that the government proposes to invest in cycling and walking to improve health and reduce inequality (Labour investment in cycling and walking will be unprecedented, says Louise Haigh, 20 August), the government must also invest in the 140,000-plus miles of public rights of way throughout England and Wales.
These footpaths, bridleways, and byways (public highways) should be open and welcoming, but many are suffering from neglect and abuse – ploughing, cropping, barbed wire, insurmountable stiles – and many are unrecorded. A recent BBC survey revealed more than 32,000 obstructions on public paths, ie one obstruction every four and a half miles – and the problems are increasing. Local authorities no longer have the funds to maintain the paths, despite it being their statutory duty to do so.
Therefore, alongside the construction of walking and cycle routes, the government must ensure that local authorities have the resources to maintain and reopen the existing public path network. This provides value-for-money opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors while improving their health and wellbeing.
Kate Ashbrook
The Open Spaces Society
It is very encouraging to learn that the new transport secretary, Louise Haigh, recognises the importance of a network of safe cycle routes, as a way of tackling both poor health and the UK’s carbon footprint. But while we wait for the network of cycle routes to be upgraded, one simple measure that would encourage more active travel would be to make it much easier to carry bicycles on trains, trams and buses.
For example, a friend and I plan to cycle from York to Sheffield this week on National Cycle Network route 67. We will have to use separate trains, one hour apart, to get to the start of our trip because there are not enough bookable spaces available. Imagine if trains had dedicated cycle carriages, as they do in other European countries. People could cycle to the station and then cycle to the office. You might even call them guards’ vans.
John Kirkwood
Sustrans volunteer ranger, Sheffield
It is incredibly encouraging to hear the transport secretary’s support for active travel. Enabling people to choose to walk, wheel or cycle more can help us lead longer and healthier lives. But it is important that walking isn’t left behind in plans.
After all, walking requires no equipment. It’s free, accessible to many and a great way to socialise. Even a short brisk walk can have wonderful mental and physical health benefits that we shouldn’t take for granted. That’s why we’re calling on the government to commit to increased and sustained investment in making our streets safer places to walk, including a plan to tackle pavement parking.
Catherine Woodhead
Chief executive, Living Streets
Louise Haigh’s commitment to promoting cycling and walking is soundly argued and very welcome. An immediate change, requiring no capital investment but contributing greatly to safer urban walking, would be extending the time of the pedestrian phase at traffic lights.
The first set of lights (close to a primary school) that I encounter on a walk from home to the city centre allows seven seconds to cross – all right for me, a keen walker, but not good enough for families with young children or some older people.
Les Bright
Exeter
