Active travel board if Labour wins power

Labour would create a cross-departmental cyclist and pedestrians’ advisory board if the party wins the General Election.

The board would include ministers from the DfT plus the departments for education, health, and communities and local government; senior DfT officials; and pedestrian and cycling groups. Meetings would be chaired by the transport secretary.

Shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher made the pledge in a speech to the Campaign for Better Transport. 

A national cycling and walking strategy would be prepared by summer 2016. 

He also promised an “in-depth review of how all government departments, agencies, local government, local enterprise partnerships, and the private sector are currently investing in walking and cycling”. 

Labour would set “ambitious targets” to increase walking and cycling and cut the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed or seriously injured. 

An HGV safety charter would call for all heavy goods vehicles to be fitted with safety kit including rear-view cameras, rear warning signs for cyclists, and flashing light beacons. 

“By 2017 we want all HGVs fitted with audible warning systems for drivers and side-guards and blind spot elimination devices,” said Dugher. “We believe these changes are paramount and, if necessary, we are prepared to legislate to ensure that they are brought forward.”