Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve safety in shared spaces for (a) cyclists and (b) pedestrians while social distancing is required during the covid-19 outbreak.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring any changes to their road networks are safe and fit for purpose. The statutory guidance published on 9 May on reallocating road space set out the steps Government expects local authorities to take to provide more space to cycling and walking, and to enable social distancing, in response to Covid-19. It is available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities

Alongside the guidance, the Department announced emergency active travel funding of £225M, to help local authorities make changes to their roads to enable more walking and cycling, and to enable social distancing.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance for local authorities with information and examples of measures that may be undertaken to adapt and manage public spaces in order to help social distancing. It is available at

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safer-public-places-urban-centres-and-green-spaces-covid-19