The Urban Transport Group has responded to calls from MPs for Government to provide the leadership and ambition required to increase levels of walking and cycling.

The House of Commons Transport Committee today published its report Active travel: increasing levels of walking and cycling in England, to which the Urban Transport Group provided written and oral evidence.

Ben Still, Managing Director of West Yorkshire Combined Authority and lead board member for active travel at the Urban Transport Group, said:

“We strongly welcome this call from MPs for greater leadership from across Whitehall departments on the urgent task of shifting more short journeys from the car to by foot or by bike. The forthcoming Spending Review will provide a key test of the Government's commitment to providing transport authorities with the long term and stable funding for local transport they need to invest in schemes which will get more people walking and cycling.

“Walking and cycling have a key role to play in the imperative of reducing carbon emissions from transport, as well as offering wider health, social and economic benefits to people and communities.

“With the right funding deal and leadership from national Government, we can ensure active travel delivers a win-win for people and the planet.”

Read our report on how active travel schemes can transform cities for the better - Active Travel: Solutions for changing cities