Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, has reacted quickly to the government’s announcement yesterday that it was suspending all transport projects not currently under contract as part of its spending review, saying that it should focus on smarter travel options that provide the best return on investment.
The government’s decision puts £1.6 billion worth of projects at risk ahead of a financial review that will take place in the autumn following a joint review of spending by the Treasury and the DfT. Immediate cuts have been made in the road safety budget as well as money put aside to address urban congestion, to the tune, respectively, of £17.2 million and £7.9 million.
The Times quoted Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, who recently said he could never contemplate cycling in London, providing sharp contrast with his predecessor, keen cyclist Lord Adonis, as saying: “I am taking this action to ensure that no taxpayers’ money is spent unnecessarily on transport schemes that are now under review.”
He continued: “If we are to succeed in reducing the UK’s record budget deficit, it is vital that not a single penny is wasted and we get the maximum value for money for every project.”
Jason Torrance, Policy Manager at Sustrans, said: "As scrutiny on public spending is intensified we believe it is more important than ever that investment is focused on interventions that deliver high value for money, and benefits across Government.
"Large road schemes often have a return on investment of less than £2 for every £1 spent. But we believe there are better, smarter ways to spend money. The work of Sustrans consistently proves that helping people to use their cars less for short local journeys delivers multiple benefits: not least financially - using the government's own cost benefit system local walking and cycling schemes shows a return on investment of £15 to £33 for every pound spent."
Not defunct, still available to buy from the link above (albeit now a Mike Ashley emporium).
Yeah, my bib tights only come out once the winter has lasted a generation.
I hope this bus driver has to take cycle awareness training......
The Decathlon balance bike I bought for about €30 at the time nearly 15 years ago got our 3 off to a good start before going on to serve in...
Get them to do it on UK cycle infra and they'd really be slow (some is more suitable for cyclocross / trials afficionados)!...
Need to be careful making sweeping statements about a technology, it depends where those technologies are used - take Fairlight and Mason - both...
I think I'm right in saying that due to the enormous cost of taking legal action in the US then the normal arrangement is "no win no fee", in which...
I guess there's no confusing it with the new Colnago 😉
This is all well and good, but will it persuade any dyed in the wool tories? I think not. Facts don't persuade people with opinions, especially...
Sure, but no-one's going on the wall because they think it'll help them win. It's not motorsport where you can just keep your boot in and overtake...