Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department takes into account local attitudes to active travel projects when assessing requests for funding from local authorities.

The Department recognises the importance of active travel schemes that work for and reflect the wishes of the public. This is why funding guidance for local authorities is clear that all schemes must be developed in consultation with local communities, in line with responsibilities under existing legislation such as the Public Sector Equality Duty and Road Traffic Regulation Act. This will enable a range of views to be considered and given due regard. Effective consultation is a condition of funding and it may result in the downgrading of local authority capability ratings if it is not adequately fulfilled.