LIBERAL Democrats in Warrington are calling for a “climate first” policy as the country re-builds the economy following the coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr Sharon Harris, the Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson on the borough council said: “This pandemic has encouraged many of us to walk and cycle more, but it shouldn’t have taken a global pandemic to encourage people out of their cars.”
In Warrington, the proportion of people that have walked or cycled at least three times a week was on 46.8 per cent in 2018-19 – barely up from 44.1 per cent three years earlier.
Cllr Harris said: “While I know people in Warrington want to do more to cut their emissions, the evidence is clear that the Conservatives have failed to tackle the problems of air pollution or invest properly in infrastructure to make walking and cycling safe.
“People deserve better. That is why the Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for more investment in walking and cycling to help increase our health.
“As we look at how we rebuild our economy after coronavirus, the government must take a climate-first approach. That means increasing active travel but it also means cutting emissions by working to create new green jobs in every community across the country.”
Cllr Harris’ remarks followed on from the recent Liberal Democrat autumn conference when the party agreed a series of measures to build a green recovery and tackle the climate emergency, including encouraging active travel through walking and cycling.
