To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in increasing the number cycle paths on public roads.

The Government’s statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, published in April 2017, outlines £1.2 billion of funding that may be invested in cycling and walking over the period to 2021. Since its publication, the Government has made further support available for cycling and walking infrastructure, through the National Productivity Investment Fund, Transforming Cities Fund and Clean Air Fund. Ultimately, decisions for allocating funding for cycle paths are for local authorities. In line with the Strategy, the Department for Transport is in the process of updating its guidance for local authorities on designing good, safe cycling infrastructure. In addition, the Department is providing 44 local authorities with access to expert support to assist in the development of ten-year Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. This support will enable authorities to map their future cycle networks and to prioritise future investments.