Traffic-free paths, bridges and signage working together to transform the National Cycle Network.

This time last year, Sustrans launched Paths for Everyone, presenting their vision for the National Cycle Network: A UK-wide network of traffic-free paths for everyone, connecting cities, towns and countryside.

Since then they've been working with local communities, landowners, local and national governments, taking forward our main priorities – to make the National Cycle Network safer and more accessible for everyone.

As the custodian of the Network, Sustrans want to make sure its paths are truly for everyone, including children, older people, those using adapted cycles and wheelchairs, as well as horse-riders, wherever possible.

As part their UK-wide improvement programme, they identified schemes that are the first steps to a more traffic-free Network. To date, they've secured funding for over 80 projects across the UK.

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The Department for Transport, Highways England, Transport Scotland, the Welsh Government and the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland have all allocated funding to the Network, without which we wouldn't be able to move this vital work forward.

The first scheme to be completed under the improvement programme was a new protected foot and cycle pathway at Ledaig, on the iconic Caledonia Way in the Scottish Highlands.

Elsewhere, a total of 180 barriers and pinch points, including along National Route 4 in Reading, have been removed or earmarked for removal or redesign to make the paths accessible to all, particularly those with adapted cycles, mobility scooters and prams.

Xavier Brice, CEO at Sustrans, said: "One year in, with the support of our partners, we're making real progress on delivering our ambitious vision for the National Cycle Network across the UK. Putting the interests and needs of local communities at the heart of everything we do, we're working on over 80 schemes, ranging from installing new signage and removing barriers to designing new, high-quality traffic-free paths and bridges. And there's more to come.

"Building on this success, we look forward to working with local and central governments, highway authorities, local communities and volunteers to grow the amount of traffic-free miles and bring the vision of safe and accessible paths for everyone closer to reality.

"The National Cycle Network is a national asset that could help tackle a myriad of challenges we're facing today: air pollution and the climate crisis, record levels of physical inactivity, and lowering life expectancy. We, therefore, urge the next UK Government to commit sustained, meaningful investment to the Network to give people across the UK an emission-free, viable alternative to the car for their everyday journeys."

(MH/JG)