UK Government report urges Brits to ditch cars in favour of walking and cycling

Traffic congestion, air pollution and poor heath in the UK could be tackled in one fell swoop, according to a new government report. 

The paper, released today by the Transport Select Committee, says swapping from our reliance on cars to walking and cycling can help combat these social issues.

Authors of the paper have urged policy makers to set more ambitious targets and increase funding for measures aimed at promoting healthier forms of ‘active travel’. 

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Congestion, air pollution and poor heath in the UK could be tackled in one fell swoop, policy advisers say. The paper, released today by the Transport Select Committee, says swapping from our reliance on cars to walking and cycling can help combat these social issues (stock)

MPs on the committee say that current targets for cycling and particularly walking are not ambitious enough.

They have recommended that the Government revises its Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.

They also urge the setting of targets for helping commuters get out of their cars and make the switch to travel on foot or by bike for short trips or as part of a longer journey.

‘Funding for active travel is piecemeal and complex’, said the report’s authors in a written statement. 

‘The £2 billion ($2.5bn) which the Government has said will be spent on active travel in this Parliament is welcome but equates to £400 million ($500m) a year. 

‘This is a tiny sum compared with spending on other areas of transport, just 1.5 per cent of total Government transport spending. 

‘The Committee recommends a dedicated funding stream for delivering improvements which will increase levels of walking and cycling and increased total funding for active travel.’

 Authors of the paper have urged policy makers to set more ambitious targets and increase funding for measures aimed at promoting healthier forms of ‘active travel’ (stock image)

In 2018, Transport was one of four parliamentary select committees, which recognised the importance of active travel to reducing the detrimental effect private vehicle use has on air quality. 

In May 2019 Parliament declared an environment and climate emergency, and last month the Prime Minister announced that the UK will aim to eradicate its net contribution to climate change by 2050. 

The Committee on Climate Change has identified changing people’s mode of travel choice from cars to walking and cycling is one way of reducing their carbon footprints and help meet UK and global climate goals.  

The Chair of the Committee, Lilian Greenwood MP, said: ‘We know that transport comes with a health warning.

‘Road transport is the single biggest contributor to poor air quality and is responsible for some 80 per cent of roadside nitrogen dioxide concentration. 

‘Around a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transport. 

‘However, by the end of 2017, there were over 26 million licensed vehicles in England, an increase of over 35 per cent in the last 20 years.

‘We also know that getting active by walking and cycling as part of our daily routine is good for us. 

‘It’s good for our health and saves on the cost of healthcare.It can reduce congestion, improve air quality, increase productivity and drive footfall in our town centres.’ 

The full findings were published in the report ‘Active travel: increasing levels of walking and cycling in England Contents.’