City to get extra cash to improve cycling provision (From Ilkley Gazette)

City to get extra cash to improve cycling provision

9:00am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News

Cycling in and around Leeds could receive a funding boost ahead of next year’s Tour de France.

The Government has announced that Leeds, as one of a number of cities to have secured City Deal status, is eligible to apply for extra money to improve its cycling infrastructure.

The funds are part of a £62 million pot that will see £30m shared out as part of the City Deals, £12m going to cycle facilities in national parks, and £15m spent on cycle-rail integration.

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) said the timing of the announcement, a year before the Tour de France’s Grand Depart starts in Leeds and passes through Wharfedale, couldn’t be better.

He said: “Cycling in Leeds can be hit and miss, sometimes literally.

“While we’ve seen some improvements in the past, more work is much needed and this additional money comes at the right time, with Le Tour set to arrive in 2014.

“Cycling is an important part to get people moving. It’s healthy and there’s nothing more pleasing than whizzing past cars stuck in traffic on a bike.

“By getting more people out of their cars and on their bikes, we can ease congestion too, and strengthen our local economy.

“That’s why I will be working hard to secure a slice of the money so we get our fair share and get those improvements in as quickly as possible.”