Transportation

MP Who Champions Benefits Of Walking And Cycling Appointed As Roads Minister


Chris Heaton-Harris MP is the new minister for walking and cycling.

Chris McAndrew

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Chris Heaton-Harris as the new minister in charge of the U.K.s roads. Part of his role includes overseeing the governnments walking and cycling policies.

In February the MP for Daventry told his constituents: I want to see walking and cycling become the natural choices for shorter journeys, or as part of a longer journey.

He added that it seems strange that for ages cycling has been seen as niche activity, rather than a normal activity for all.

Notably, he recognized that the benefits of walking and cycling are substantial.

In his open letter to constituents he wrote:

For people, it means cheaper travel and better health. For businesses, it means increased productivity and increase footfall in shops. And for society as a whole it means lower congestion, better air quality, and vibrant, attractive places and communities.

In 2014, Heaton-Harris secured an adjournment debate in parliament on the issue of cycle safety. This followed the death of Jayne Helliwell who was killed while cycling on Oxford Street in London in 2012 by a bus driver with a history of sciatica, a condition that can cause involuntary leg movements. Heaton-Harris urged the then road minister to improve the safety of cyclists around buses and HGVs, strengthening guidelines for employers on ensuring their drivers are medically fit to drive. The MP was given a national road safety award by the charity Brake for raising these issues in parliament.



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