Government announces how Cycle City Ambition funding will be spent

Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg has outlined how a £115m investment in cycling will be divided up, with Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester to receive £22m each.

Bristol, Cambridge, Newcastle, Norwich and Oxford will each receive between £19m and £3.3m between now and 2018 to improve their cycling infrastructure.

Mr Clegg said: “We are in the midst of a cycling revolution in the UK but we need to make sure we’re in the right gear to see it through. That’s why I’m so pleased to announce this investment for these major cities to make it easier for people to get around on two wheels.

“With the legacy of the 2012 Olympics and the Tour de France in Yorkshire last year still fresh in our minds, this money can help Britain become a cycling nation to rival the likes of Denmark and the Netherlands.

“Research shows us that boosting cycling could save billions of pounds otherwise spent on the NHS, reduce pollution and congestion, and create a happier and safer population.”

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The research, commissioned by British Cycling shows that the benefits of following the examples of the Netherlands and Denmark could save the NHS £17bn within 20 years, as well as reducing road deaths by 30 per cent.

Cycling Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Cycling is great for your health and good for the environment, and this government is doing all it can to help more people get out on their bikes.

“We have doubled the amount of money available for cycling and taken steps to make sure that future governments plan properly for cycling.

“This investment shows our continued commitment to making cycling even easier and safer, and our ambition to help make these cities better for cycles.”

Proposed Funding Allocations:(2015/16 – 2017/18)

Birmingham - £22m

Bristol - £19m

Cambridge - £6m

Leeds - £22m

Manchester - £22m

Newcastle - £10.6m

Norwich - £8.4

Oxford - £3.3m