MP urges government not to overlook role of active travel in ‘levelling up’
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has urged the Government to include the ‘20-minute neighbourhood’ principle in the Levelling Up White Paper.
In a question to Michael Gove the Levelling up, Housing and Communities Secretary, the MP asked what role active travel will have in the forthcoming White Paper.
The question comes after Bath and North East Somerset Council’s ambitious plans to introduce active travel schemes were unveiled.
The ‘20-minute neighbourhood’ principle refers to a neighbourhood where daily services can be accessed within a 20-minute walk. More broadly, active travel refers to transport of people or goods through non-motorised means based on human physical activity.
Mrs Hobhouse, right, said: “Travel accounts for nearly a third of the UK’S carbon dioxide emissions, with the majority coming from petrol and diesel vehicles.
“In my constituency of Bath the council is working very hard to get to net zero by 2030, and active travel is a key part of that. I’m very pleased to see that the Secretary of State is in favour of active travel and I only hope that the local Tories would follow a similar path.”
Mr Gove responded: “Active travel is central to levelling up the nation’s health, air quality, social connectedness and prosperity. The Government committed £710 million of new active travel funding at the spending review and are establishing active travelling to support places. The White Paper will discuss transport’s contributions to levelling up, including of course active travel.
“What we want to do is create communities where people can walk or cycle to all the facilities and amenities that they need. That is one reason why I am such a great fan of the work of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the developments for which he has been responsible, as they embody that principle more effectively than the work of almost anyone I know.”
Cllr Sarah Warren, B&NES cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, said: “Active travel is an important part of tackling the climate emergency. Schemes make it easier to walk or cycle for short journeys which will help residents, businesses, and visitors to our area to cut their carbon emissions, reduce air pollution and improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.
“Here in Bath and North East Somerset we will continue to work at pace with communities to deliver our climate priorities. Michael Gove and the rest of the Government’s support is very welcome and I’m pleased that active travel is being given the proper recognition that it deserves.”