Cash boost for Retford cycling

RETFORD is to get £20,000 from the Government to improve cycling facilities in the town centre.
Cycle stands at Retford train station (w130205-1d)Cycle stands at Retford train station (w130205-1d)
Cycle stands at Retford train station (w130205-1d)

Transport Minister Norman Bakers announced that as part of a £62 million investment in cycling, £20,000 has been awarded from the Linking Places Fund towards a package of improvements to cycling facilities in Retford town centre.

The Community Linking Places Fund has been given £15million in total from the Government to support scheme that improve cycle-rail integrations and enhance community cycling.

The Retford scheme is to get match funding from other local contributors, bringing its total value to £40,000.

Mr Baker said: “We are serious about cycling, as this latest wave of funding shows.”

“We have already seen how schemes can quickly deliver economic and environmental benefits, as well as improving public health.”

“Anyone who rides a bike will know it is important to keep the impetus going and this record level of funding will provide a shot in the arm to cycling in England.”

“Our ambition is to get people cycling more safely and more often and today’s announcements will help us to make that vision a reality.”

The Community Linking Places Fund uses the transport charity Sustrans and the Cycle Rail Working Group to distribute grant funding from the Department of Transport to local authorities and train operating companies, including advice on prospective schemes.

Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans chief executive welcomed the Government funding.

He said: “Additional funding for cycling networks is urgently needed and we warmly welcome this new funding initiative from Government.”

“Sustrans is very pleased to have the opportunity to use our expertise to help local authorities deliver safer roads, junctions and routes across the country, particularly in sometimes-overlooked rural areas.”

“Creating high quality cycling paths that increase travel choices is a key element in the overarching plan to get Britain cycling and turn us into a healthier, more productive and more mobile nation.”

“With continuing political leadership, better funding and improved infrastructure, we can transform travel by providing real choices over how people can get around and ensure cycling and walking are the norm for shorter journeys.”

The announcement was the largest ever allocation of funding for cycling to date. Other investments include a cycle hub at Nottingham train station.

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