Sustrans is a national charity which promotes a more active lifestyle by making our neighbourhoods more walking and cycle friendly.

Locally it secured lottery funding to build the Diglis Bridge and associated cycle and footways and, working with local councils, developed local sections of the16,000-mile long National Cycling Network.

In the lead-up to the general election it produced a manifesto aimed at encouraging the next Government to increase investment on walking and cycling infrastructure.

In 2018 70 per cent of car journeys were under five miles and 20 per cent under one mile. By converting more of these to walking and cycling trips considerable benefits can be produced:

l Traffic congestion, air pollution and climatic impacts will be reduced.

l Workplace productivity will increase and costs to the NHS will be reduced as a result of active people being healthier.

l Revitalise the city centre as those who walk and cycle spend up to 30 per cent more on high streets than those who drive.

In summary Sustrans is calling on the next Government to:

Provide sustained long-term investment in walking and cycling, to support an updated Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, and the National Cycle Network.

ASK 1: 5% of the transport budget to be spent on walking and cycling in 2020/21, rising to 10% by 2024/25.

ASK 2: £72 million investment per year in the National Cycling Network from UK Government, to contribute towards the £5 billion annual economic benefit in England by 2040.

Commit to a 20-minute neighbourhood planning principle for all cities and towns. This is designed so all people living in cities and towns are within a 20-minute walk from their everyday services and needs:

ASK 3: Update the National Planning Policy Framework to incorporate 20-minute neighbourhoods as a central principle.

ASK 4: Help local authorities unlock sites for 20-minute neighbourhoods.

ASK 5: Develop new Planning Policy Guidance on walking and cycling.

ASK 6: Introduce a Transforming Places Fund to support 20-minute neighbourhoods.

Transform the journey to school to help children travel safely and independently by foot, scooter or cycle:

ASK 7: Roll-out School Zones to reduce motor traffic in local neighbourhoods around schools.

ASK 8: Make it easier for local authorities outside London to run School Streets.

ASK 9: Provide on-road cycle training for all school children.

Ensure places are accessible for everyone:

ASK 10: Implement and enforce inclusive and accessible design guidance for walking and cycling.

ASK 11: Implement a 20mph default speed limit in all built-up areas to make everyone’s journey safer.

ASK 12: Implement an England-wide ban on pavement parking.

ASK 13: Deliver programmes to diversify and increase participation in walking and cycling.

ASK 14: Subsidies to landowners who increase access for walking, cycling and horse riding.

Greenways:

ASK 15: Establish a UK-wide Greenways Taskforce and Greenways Citizen’s Assembly so that communities can develop a vision for, and put in place a Greenways Programme.

In Worcester, lots of new development is already planned within but more worryingly on the outskirts of the city. There’s a real danger that if badly planned and designed this will increase our over reliance on using cars for even the shortest journeys.

Cycling UK, Sustrans and Bike Worcester volunteers are therefore working together to ensure whoever is elected as our MPs on Thursday they offer their fulsome support in making Worcester and South Worcestershire much more cycling and walking friendly.

A more detailed version of the manifesto can be found at sustrans.org.uk