Bedfordshire town congratulated for cycling move

The twin towns of Leighton and Linslade have been congratulated by transport secretary Ruth Kelly for becoming a Cycling Demonstration Town.

The local council has won a £600,000 grant from Cycling England which will be matched by Bedfordshire County Council and will be spent on eco innovation, improvements to cycle lanes and new cycle tracks.

It is hoped the scheme will encourage residents to ditch their cars in favour of more sustainable two wheeled vehicles, cutting their carbon emissions and saving money on fuel at the same time.

"I am delighted to appoint Leighton-Linslade as a new Cycling Demonstration Town," said Ruth Kelly. "I am sure that their innovative and exciting plans will support cyclists and encourage more people to get in their bikes, get fit and beat the traffic."

She said one quarter of daily car journeys are less than two miles long and cycling could provide a sustainable alternative, helping to reduce vehicle emissions substantially.

Leighton-Linslade was cycle-friendly long before it was awarded Cycling Demonstration Town status. The town council has a designated cycling forum which meets monthly to discuss issues affecting the area’s cyclists.