To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve local cycle infrastructure in cities and towns in Tyne and Wear.

While decisions on funding for cycle infrastructure improvements are primarily the responsibility of the relevant local transport authority, the Department for Transport is supporting cycle improvements in the Newcastle city area through the Cycle City Ambition programme. We are investing £16.3m in local schemes that seek to kick-start a cycling revolution in Newcastle. When combined with local funding contributions, this programme is seeing over £10 per head spent on cycling in Newcastle.

In addition to this, the Department has provided £13k through the Cycle-Rail programme. This has seen the installation of 122 additional cycle parking spaces with related signage and CCTV at Newcastle Central station. Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority are also receiving £3.85m in funding through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in 2015/16. The "Go Smarter" package will implement measures that encourage uptake of alternative transport options, such as bike, for the school run and commute.