Council urged to improve walking and cycle routes across Derbyshire

The council is being called upon to implement new cycling and walking routes.

The government’s Active Travel Fund is set to work with local authorities to boost greener transport, open up new routes and help social distancing across the country during the ongoing pandemic.

Derbyshire’s Green Party councillors are calling on Derbyshire County Council to seize the opportunity and put forward plans for cycling and walking paths.

High Peak councillor Joanna Collins said: “Here is a unique opportunity to do something about Derbyshire traffic and do something about climate change.

“Streams of cars and motorbikes in places like Bamford and Matlock Bath make it almost impossible even to cross the road.

“New cycling and walking facilities will make social distancing much easier.

“It will also encourage cycling and walking and so help reduce car traffic and the carbon emissions, which cause climate change.

“The county council must put forward plans right now for good cycling and walking paths.

“It has plans in place for a proper network across the county and in normal times this might be too expensive – the current government funding makes this the right time to deliver on their plans.

“We hope to see Derbyshire County Council’s plans to bring about lasting change on our roads in the immediate future.”

The council has responded, saying it is taking actions where possible and is still waiting to find out how much money it will receive.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We are taking actions now to make it easier to walk and cycle in our towns so people don’t have to drive to make short journeys.

“We’re waiting to find out how much money we will get from the amount announced by the government, and will do as much as we possibly can with it to encourage more people to walk and cycle whenever they can.”