Just one in 15 Dacorum workers currently walk to work

Just one in 15 Dacorum workers currently walk to work, new figures suggest, as the Government pushes commuters away from public transport.

As the lockdown is gradually lifted and people head back to work, the Government has announced emergency funding and measures to make the roads more cyclist and pedestrian-friendly, including plans for pop-up cycle lanes and distributing bike repair vouchers.

New Office for National Statistics figures show that 7 per cent of people in Dacorum walked to work in the three months to December.

That is according to a survey of employment circumstances across the UK, which shows Dacorum had one of the lowest proportions of pedestrian commuters across the 309 authorities that had data.

The vast majority of people in Dacorum travelled to work by car or van – 88 per cent of those surveyed.

The ONS says the results must be interpreted with caution as there may have been a small sample size in local areas.

Separate figures from the Department for Transport (Dft) for 2018 reveal that more than a quarter of residents in Dacorum go for a stroll less than once per week, while 19 per cent do so less than once a month.

And when it comes to cycling, 83 per cent of residents do not manage to fit in a monthly bike ride.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced a £250 million emergency package for England to boost cycling and walking, warning that public transport will only be able to cope with 10 per cent of usual numbers if passengers are to abide by the two metre social distancing rule.

Fast-tracked guidance published by the DfT has told councils they must reallocate road space for significantly increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians.

In a bid to encourage people to dust off their old bikes, vouchers will be given out for cycle repairs, while plans are under way for greater provision of bike-fixing facilities.

Nine organisations, including Greenpeace and the Transport Action Network, have written an open letter to the Government and local authorities calling for more action to promote walking and cycling.

They request wider pavements, protected cycle tracks, networks of low-traffic neighbourhoods, and the installation of bus gates, bollards and planters to limit traffic in residential and shopping streets.

The letter reads: "It would be completely absurd if, after the unprecedented efforts and sacrifices made to save thousands of lives from Covid-19, we allowed thousands more to be cut short by the devastating impacts of toxic pollution."

The Local Government Association welcomed the latest government announcements but said local councils must have “long-term certainty” around funding.

David Renard, LGA transport spokesman, said: “If we are to achieve a sustained increase in active and cleaner travel, councils need long-term certainty of infrastructure funding.

"Local control over infrastructure and public transport budgets would enable them to deliver the widespread improvements to promote more active travel."