In June, Transport Action Network won a historic victory in the Court of Appeal, the most significant case for active travel in English legal history against the funding cuts by Rishi Sunak. Following this, the government is consulting on a new long-term strategy for walking, wheeling* and cycling in England, but it has failed to make up for the funding shortfall these cuts caused.

Its warm words promise to make these healthy ways to move easier and safer. But its new strategy fails to learn from the past, isn’t integrated with other government plans or priorities, and is underfunded. In fact its ambition is so vague, it’s a step backwards from the previous Conservative government! This is illustrated by the fact that there was no mention of active travel in the Budget, while another £891m was pledged for the Lower Thames Crossing ‘smart’ motorway.

That’s why we need your help to send a strong message to the Labour government, that if it really wants to deliver change, then it needs to commit to a strategy for healthy travel that is bold, credible and radical, as well as properly funded. With devolution passing ever more power down from Westminster, it’s a message local politicians need to hear too.

As our streets and rural lanes have become overrun with traffic, making the environment feel hostile and unpleasant, politicians have promised action, but often made things worse. That needs to change if we are to address the cost of living crisis, reduce pressure on the NHS, give children their independence and let older people maintain theirs, while tackling toxic levels of air, noise and water pollution.

So if you want to live in a better place with a higher quality of life, please respond to the consultation on the government’s third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3).

Just fill in the ‘Take Action’ panel, then click the ‘Start Writing’ button to get started. (At this point there are links to the questions and the issues being asked about.) You can edit the suggested responses as you see fit, perhaps using AI to make them sound more individual. When you’re ready, hit ‘Send Letter’. The whole process can take less than a minute.

Many thanks,

Chris, Ed, Roger & Nisha

Transport Action Network

* wheeling refers to when people use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc.