After meeting with the Department for Transport the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering effective Active Travel schemes across the county.

These will be included in the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan which will be released next year. The Mayor will work with the government and relevant parties to help secure funding that can be used across Cambridgeshire.

Who will benefit from these initiatives?

Every community in Cambridgeshire stands to benefit from the Active Travel Initiative, including Ely.

Centred around reducing air pollution by restricting traffic movement in certain areas, the scheme is also a ploy to encourage residents to adopt a healthier lifestyle by breathing in cleaner air and choosing more active modes of transport, such as walking and cycling.

However, in order for this to happen, more needs to be done by local authorities – something which is recognised by both the transport minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, and Johnson. Ultimately, Johnson is hoping that cleaner air will not just help the local environment, but also improve public health and lifestyles.

As reported by Cambridgeshire Times earlier this year, Johnson stated that he hoped to appoint an ‘independent cycling tsar for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’. This is just one action to insight positive change on the transport front.

Why are Active Travel schemes important?

With Cambridge receiving a number of air pollution warnings and as a children’s doctor, Johnson is keen to incorporate public health into his travel policies.

Johnson said: “As a children’s doctor I know the effects that air pollution has on young people’s general health. In the past couple of weeks, I was shocked to see Cambridge City having warnings regarding exercising outside due to the levels of air pollution. This cannot go on. I want not just for my 3 children, but for all children in Cambridgeshire to live in an area where they can breathe clean and healthy air.”

Find out more about what’s happening in and around Ely.