Keeping Cycling on Track
The Government has published its White Paper laying out its vision for the future of the railways. Following CTC’s Keep Cycling on Track campaign involving thousands of cyclists, the Government announced a task force to represent cyclists in negotiating detail of franchise agreements, as well as plans to promote cycle access and simplify cycle reservations.
Download the Rail White Paper at www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/whitepapercm7176/.
The White Paper calls for the formation of a new task force, comprising ATOC, Cycling England, Network Rail and Passenger Focus, (described on page 106 if you have downloaded the report). This group will also work to improve provision at rail stations for cycling, and find effective ways to increase the number of people who combine cycling with rail travel, linked to a commitment to deliver station travel plans, with a number of pilot schemes to be developed immediately. CTC is urging the Government to ensure the group is given sufficient money and powers to make a real difference for cycling.
The Transport Select Committee announced on 24 July an Inquiry into the reactions of train operators, businesses and the wider public to the Rail White Paper, www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/transport_committee/trans06_07press_notice51.cfm.
CTC will put effort into making sure that the detail and delivery described by the White Paper will follow through with the policies called for in CTC's Keep Cycling on Track campaign which partnered Transport 2000's Growing the Railways campaign. See www.sardineman.org.uk for details.
Jon Snow, CTC President, said:
"Cycling and rail travel are perfect partners. The combination provides a ‘doorstep-to-destination’ option for longer-distance journeys which might otherwise be possible only by car. It is also a really simple way to set about tackling a whole range of problems all in one go: obesity, air pollution, congestion and climate change to name but a few.”
