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British gov't to make busy roads safer for cyclists in England

Xinhua, January 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Work has started in England on a 150-million-U.S.-dollar program to help cyclists cross motorway junctions and major roads, Britain's department for transport (DfT) announced Wednesday.

Highways England has plans for 200 projects across the country over the next five years after the British government set up a dedicated fund for cycling in its road investment strategy.

The first 40 schemes are set to be completed by this spring.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: "The schemes will provide new cycling facilities which are safe, separate from traffic, and can be used by cyclists of all abilities.

"Our investment in cycling infrastructure will make cycling safer and ultimately cut congestion on the roads," he said.

A transport department spokesman said: "This important work is part of a transformational program to make travelling by bike a more attractive option - great news for cyclists and motorists."

"The first phase of the cycling program will see cycle lanes and crossings created or improved at nine motorway junctions. New cycle lanes, crossings, and signs will also be installed on major 'A' roads across England," the spokesman said.

Highways England's cycling champion, Richard Leonard, said: "These improvements will make cycling easier around major A roads and over motorway junctions across England. They will contribute towards a connected, comfortable, attractive and high quality cycling network, suitable and safe for use by people of all ages and abilities."

"We want to provide safe, accessible and integrated cycling facilities that give people a genuine choice about whether to travel in their car or to get on a bike instead. If we can encourage more people to use their bikes for local journeys, then this should also improve the flow of traffic for drivers travelling longer distances," Leonard said.

The DfT spokesman added: "The investment in cycling schemes supports the government's ambition to encourage walking and cycling so that it becomes normal for short journeys or as part of a longer journey." Endit