Cycle infrastructure must 'sharply improve': new DfT design guidance published

The Government intends that all proposed schemes will be checked by a new inspectorate against the summary principles before funding is agreed, and that fnished schemes will be inspected as appropriate to ensure that they have been delivered in compliance with them

The latest local transport note, LTN 1/20, provides guidance to local authorities. Transport Minister Grant Shapps said: 'As the Prime Minister said when he launched the Government’s ambitious plan for cycling in July 2020, cycling will play a far bigger part in our transport system from now on. We need to see significant increases in cycling in our cities and towns, and everywhere else too.

It will be a condition of any future Government funding for new cycle infrastructure that it is designed in a way that is consistent with this national guidance

'To achieve that, the quality of cycling infrastructure must sharply improve. Properly-protected bike lanes, cycle-safe junctions and interventions for low-traffc streets encourage people to cycle.'

Shapps added: 'The Government intends that all proposed schemes will be checked by a new inspectorate against the summary principles before funding is agreed, and that fnished schemes will be inspected as appropriate to ensure that they have been delivered in compliance with them.

'It will be a condition of any future Government funding for new cycle infrastructure that it is designed in a way that is consistent with this national guidance.

'The Department for Transport will also reserve the right to ask for appropriate funding to be returned for any schemes built in a way which is not consistent with the guidance. In short, schemes which do not follow this guidance will not be funded.'

The latest local transport note, LTN 1/20, provides guidance to local authorities on delivering high quality, cycle infrastructure including:

• planning for cycling

• space for cycling within highways

• transitions between carriageways, cycle lanes and cycle tracks

• junctions and crossings

• cycle parking and other equipment

• planning and designing for commercial cycling

• traffic signs and road markings

• construction and maintenance