- Thanks to the Conservative Government, millions of people across the country will benefit from healthier, free, local journeys in a boost to air quality and people’s physical and mental health.
- Supported by a transformational £200 million of Government funding for 134 ambitious projects, communities across the country will be benefitting from new and improved footways, cycle lanes, and pedestrian crossings to boost active travel.
- This funding will improve transport infrastructure and boost local economies, whilst getting people outside and moving.
Dan Watkins, Kent County Councillor for Herne Bay East, has welcomed over £1 million of Conservative Government funding for new walking and cycling schemes across Kent, cleaning our air and making it easier to travel around and keep active.
The Government’s £200 million Active Travel Fund marks the ‘golden age’ of cycling and walking – enabling communities across the country to get out on their bikes and enjoy cheaper, cleaner and greener travel across their area. This includes £161 million of funding for local authorities outside of London to deliver new footways, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings.
This announcement is the next phase of an initial £2 billion investment up to 2025 to put in place connected local routes to give people the choice to walk or ride instead of driving – cleaning our air giving people more choice of travel around their local community.
Dan said:
“As we focus on greener and cheaper travel to cut emissions and address the cost of living, it is vital we provide communities with the infrastructure they need to enjoy active travel. That is why I am delighted the Conservative Government will be committing over £1m across Kent, including £100,000 in Herne Bay, marking our longstanding commitment to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of our highways.
The new walking and cycling route in Herne Bay will connect the train station to Memorial Park and the seafront, where we will create a new public space by pedestrianising a section of Central Parade at the foot of the pier. I'm looking forward to working with the community to agree the details of this plan.
Providing the infrastructure to boost active, green and cheaper travel not only cleans our air but increases travel options and makes it easier for people to keep active. It will also help us continue the regeneration of Herne Bay, bring in more visitors and local jobs.”