Liberal Democrats deliver local growth for Surrey while cutting emissions

Surrey County Council Liberal Democrats have welcomed the announcement by Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker of a £14.3m investment in local green transport schemes across Surrey.

The Liberal Democrat Local Sustainable Transport Fund was announced in 2010 following the Coalition commitment to "support sustainable travel initiatives, including the promotion of cycling and walking". The fund supports projects across the country that will bring local economic growth while cutting carbon emissions from travel.

Details are yet to be received on what parts of Surrey's £16m bid has received money, but bids were made to support Surrey Travel SMART in Woking, Reigate & Redhill and Guildford.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Councillor Will Forster (Woking South), who is a member of the Environment & Transport Select Committee at County Hall said: "This announcement by the Liberal Democrat Transport Minister is excellent news for Surrey. Surrey County bid for funding to build several much needed cycle routes in Woking Borough. Two cycle routes are planned in my South Woking ward and a shared use route is planned on the north side of Parvis Road between Byfleet and West Byfleet where two cyclists have been killed in the last two years."

Fiona White (Guildford West) said: "Liberal Democrats have always called for proper support for green transport, but successive Governments have consistently ignored our calls.

"I am delighted to see Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government delivering proper investment to promote growth and cut carbon emissions."

Peter Lambell (Reigate Central) said: "Local, sustainable growth is what the country needs right now, and it's what Liberal Democrats are delivering."