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“A backward move” – Government slashes active travel budget for England

“A backward move” – Government slashes active travel budget for England

The government has slashed the budget for active travel schemes in England outside London in what has been described as “a backward move” by the Walking & Cycling Alliance (WACA), which estimates that two thirds of previously promised funding will be lost, making it “impossible” to meet Net Zero and active travel targets.

The announcement of the cuts, which come ahead of Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget next week, was made yesterday in a written statement by Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper.

He said that since the current funding round was agreed, “headwinds” resulting from inflation relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and continued supply chain disruption following the coronavirus pandemic “have made it difficult to deliver on our capital programmes, and we recognise that some schemes are going to take longer than expected.”

Missing from that list of “headwinds” however was the shock to the economy brought on by former Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng’s ‘fiscal event’ last September which forced the Bank of England into a £65 billion emergency bond-buying programme and resulted in the cost of government borrowing soaring, leading to the collapse of Liz Truss’s Premiership and making cuts to public spending inevitable.

While it was delays announced in yesterday’s statement to the HS2 high speed rail project and the planned Lower Thames Crossing that grabbed the headlines in the mainstream media, it also covered cuts to active travel funding.

“We remain committed to supporting all forms of transport and have invested over £850 million in active travel between 2020/21 and 2022/23,” Harper said.

“Despite the need to deliver efficiency in all areas of our budget, we will still commit to spend at least a further £100 million capital into active travel over the remainder of the spending period, as part of a total of around £3 billion investment in active travel over this Parliament, including from City and Region Sustainable Transport settlements and National Highways. We will review these levels as soon as practically possible.”

While the various funding pots make it difficult to put a definitive figure on the size of the cuts, CAWA puts it at around two-thirds of the money previously promised for cycling and walking schemes in England outside London, which already received far less investment in active travel than the capital, as well as Scotland and Wales, where transport is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

In a statement, WACA, which brings together a number of groups campaigning on active travel issues, described the cuts as a “backward move” and “disproportionate” compared to those made for other modes of transport, and would make it “impossible” for the government to meet walking and cycling, as well as Net Zero, targets.

> Government’s second cycling and walking investment strategy outlines almost £4bn funding for active travel – and aims to double the number of cycling trips by 2025

“It is heart-breaking to see vital active travel budgets wiped away in England, at the exact time when they are most essential to UK economic, social and environmental prospects,” WACA said. “It simply doesn’t make sense to withdraw investment in active travel at this time.

“Representing a two-thirds cut to promised capital investment in walking, cycling and wheeling, these cuts are a backward move for active travel and will counteract the tremendous progress we’ve seen in recent years.

“These cuts are disproportionate compared to those for road and rail and will leave England lagging far behind other UK nations and London, at a time when we need to be raising the bar everywhere.

“Promised Government targets of 50 per cent of all journeys in English towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030, and for the UK to be Net Zero by 2050, are made impossible by these cuts.

“People walking, wheeling and cycling take 14.6 million cars off the road, saving 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

“More than ever, people want and need support to walk, cycle or wheel, and these cuts will impact those that would have benefited most, limiting our choice to travel healthily, cheaply and emissions-free,” WACA added.

The announcement of the funding cuts was also greeted with dismay by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW).

NEW: Significant cuts announced for walking and cycling £710m was approved for active travel in the 2021 Spending Review. £230m has been spent so far. Today’s announcement of £100m for the remaining two years, means a cut of £380m. https://t.co/Wf3bO2kkWC — APPGCW (@allpartycycling) March 9, 2023

APPGCW co-chairs Ruth Cadbury, the Labour MP for Brentford & Isleworth, and Selaine Saxby, the Conservative MP for North Devon, said in a statement: “It is incredibly disappointing that the active travel budget has seen extensive cuts at a time when we need to really make progress on decarbonisation and when people need cheap transport choices.

“We’ve witnessed the popularity of active travel increase in the capital but other parts of England will now not benefit from the same quality transport system. London now has three times as much funding per year for active travel than the rest of England combined.

“We understand that there are pressures on the public purse but active travel schemes frequently have much higher benefit:cost rations than road building schemes, many of which are still going ahead despite falling value for money for taxpayers.

“No other mode of transport will deliver the same health benefits and actually save the NHS money,” the statement continued. “If we’re serious about decarbonisation and giving people real choices on how they move, active travel needs to be properly and consistently funded.”

The announcement of the funding cuts comes little more than a year after the government set up the arm’s length body Active Travel England, with then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his transport adviser at Number 10, Andrew Gilligan, both strong proponents of cycling and walking.

When Johnson resigned as Prime Minister last July, we wondered whether that might impact efforts to grow active travel in England – fears that have now been confirmed by yesterday’s statement from the Secretary of State for Transport.

> Boris Johnson resignation: A blow for active travel?

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active travel funding cuts

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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32 comments.

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https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-complete-the-active-tr...

still, Im waiting for anyone to actually review what round 2 or even round 3 actually achieved.

but at least ATE have completed their ratings of local authorities so we know how bad they are at it https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

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Meanwhile the same amount ( nearly 320 million) is being spent on one road junction at Wisely. Colour me shocked.

Looks like you've coloured yourself shocked - or at least your cyan hair is standing on end.

It's "electric aqua" I'll have you know.

My genetic predisposition to bad hair days is also a protected characteristic. So this is a hate crime. Or cyber bullying or whatever Nige's personas refer to it as. 😃😜

Clem Fandango wrote: My genetic predisposition to bad hair days is also a protected characteristic.

Thank goodness - we avoided the "helmet hair" sideshow!

As for spending a little (hundred millions) to save / get back a little more it would seem that providing for more active travel is a no-brainer. Cycling simply being the most efficient form of that, it would be the thing to preferentially fund.

However going in a different direction after several generations of mass motoring (heavily pushed - and subsidised - by our governments) is a political and psychological poser. The actual "how to" is *almost* * as simple as Googling "Dutch cycle infrastructure", or better "sustainable safety". Or given that we are cheap and right at the start of the change maybe "copenhagen cycling"...

* "Almost" because the concept of mass cycling is apparently just too advanced for UK politicians and planners to understand. At least the majority of "Dutch" infra in the UK is strictly cargo-cult lookalike stuff. Or maybe they do know but just can't see beyond the motor vehicle?

chrisonatrike][quote=Clem Fandango wrote: Or maybe they do know but just can't see beyond the motor vehicle?

They can't see past the bonnet of the car and can't see that they are driving over a cliff.

Obesity, pollution, congestion, health, climate change; cycling is one of the best answers to all these modern problems, but, hey, mustn't upset the great car economy.

The human race is descended from lemmings; discuss.

I think there was a commitment in England that 50% of journeys in towns and cities should be walked or cycled by 2030? Walking (easy, common but inefficient / slow / very limited distances for most) is at around 30% modal share by trips IIRC, cycling about 2%.

This clearly is a goal that has minimal political commitment and shows little sign of being met. Quite frankly if they'd committed to an increase to 5% cycling modal share nationally and 35% walking I'd have called that ambitious. And probably unachievable with the current pace and sense of urgency.

I remain hopeful... but it will take policy changes and a lot *more* cash, not less.

Avatar

They certainly can't see past the next general election. They know their cliff is in Dec 2025.

IanMK wrote: They certainly can't see past the next general election. They know their cliff is in Dec 2025.

Do you know, I read somewhere that governments in the olden days used to think 'long term' (defined as 'beyond the next election')..

brooksby wrote: Do you know, I read somewhere that governments in the olden days used to think 'long term' (defined as 'beyond the next election')..

Is that a quote from Seneca? I'm assuming Marcus Aurelius wouldn't criticise himself in that way? Or possibly from the Epic of Gilgamesh?

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chrisonatrike wrote: brooksby wrote: Do you know, I read somewhere that governments in the olden days used to think 'long term' (defined as 'beyond the next election')..

I think it was Inherited-Wealthicus Twaticus

I wasn’t thinking of the olden days being quite that olden, tbh…

They just need to add up all the fuel duty rises they put on hold and drop the whole lot at the next budget. Should free up a bit of money for active travel schemes.

HoarseMann wrote: They just need to add up all the fuel duty rises they put on hold and drop the whole lot at the next budget. Should free up a bit of money for active travel schemes.

Howard Cox and certain right wing newspapers have already started ranting about how it would be a Terrible Mistake to remove the fuel duty freeze at the next budget.

brooksby wrote: HoarseMann wrote: They just need to add up all the fuel duty rises they put on hold and drop the whole lot at the next budget. Should free up a bit of money for active travel schemes.

"State subsidies are for free loading scum, except when I'm being subsidised which is the natural order of things. Give me your tithes peasants"

I think that's what they said anyway.

Though I suspect they may want to protect the car finance bubble from bursting until a tory govt isn't in power.

Welfare bad, subsidies good 🐷

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Let me ser if I've got this right..... The government have committed to building the London to Birmingham branch of HS2 along with ensuring capital spend for active travel in London is maintained, while the rest of the country can go fuck itself. So much for levelling up! I hope no one is considering voting for these Tory bastards at the next GE. They are intent on throwing the country, including London into the abyss of climate breakdown, but at least their grubby pockets will be lined with filthy lucre.

Owd Big 'Ead wrote: Let me ser if I've got this right..... The government have committed to building the London to Birmingham branch of HS2 along with ensuring capital spend for active travel in London is maintained, while the rest of the country can go fuck itself. So much for levelling up! I hope no one is considering voting for these Tory bastards at the next GE. They are intent on throwing the country, including London into the abyss of climate breakdown, but at least their grubby pockets will be lined with filthy lucre.

This has been predictable as they made so many promises and plans about reducing CO2 in the future and they never had any intention of going against the oil/motor lobby.

Can we start lining them up against a wall for shooting yet?

At the risk of getting banned from presenting MotD, my observation is that the Tories only have one overriding policy which is how to extract the tax take into private hands, given that all state assets have been sold off. They do also have a secondary policy of ensuring that the last pennies of the poor who can't earn enough to be taxed are also up for grabs to private companies.

Most government decisions seem to follow on from that. They'd quite happily cancel HS2 knowing that the Government would probably have to pay out penalties of a similar amount, but even they can see limits to what they can blag their way out of. It would not surprise me to find that north of Birmingham is already effectively bought and paid for, delivered or not.

English devolution when?

For 'd' read 'r'.

Careful now

Avatar

Backward step, of course.

Will this affect Sustrans? What about the 2030 target?

Do we know how much will be left after funding the new central structures just set up in York? 50 staff = £5 million ? Plus whatever will exist in the regions.

Perhaps we need to focus on low cost interventions, like getting rid of all the illegal barriers !

Can we apply an Ego Tax to Boris Johnson and Gary Lineker?

So they're looking to "deliver efficiency" with the budgets, yet active travel produces a far greater return on investment than e.g. building roads or giving oil companies money to invest in drilling for oil.

This is clearly the right-wing pushing back against the climate catastrophe and the need for change as evidenced by their tampering with the BBC yet again:  https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/mar/10/david-attenborough-bbc-wild-isles-episode-rightwing-backlash-fears

They're going for the last cash-grab before the inevitable collapse of civilisation due to people continually kicking the can down the road and making false promises rather than actually doing what's necessary.

hawkinspeter wrote: So they're looking to "deliver efficiency" with the budgets, yet active travel produces a far greater return on investment than e.g. building roads or giving oil companies money to invest in drilling for oil.
hawkinspeter wrote:   They're going for the last cash-grab before the inevitable collapse of civilisation due to people continually kicking the can down the road and making false promises rather than actually doing what's necessary.

Very much this, I'm afraid.

Have the people in Govt maybe got a ticket to some sort of Elysium style orbital platform?

They're cutting funding for active travel, not bothering about restrictions on sewage discharges, banning David Attenborough from talking about the collapse in the British ecosystem (OK, not ' banning'  per se, but not broadcasting the episode of his new show that talks about it), firing up the coal fired power stations because they haven't got any alternatives in place (still!), pretty much every power company and utility is owned by overseas entities (even overseas states ).

<shakes head sadly>

I think it's only covid, lawlessness at the top and Conservative party infighting* which has kept the government from reversing a hit list of legislation. Given the magnitude of the change though we should maybe wait a generation or two to see all the positive effects though.

* which Brexit strangely didn't put an end to.

Not so much a backward move as turning right round and riding at GannaSpeed head first into the Net Zero targets . FFS.

Quote: The plan focuses on increasing ambition in the following areas: advancing offshore wind driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen delivering new and advanced nuclear power accelerating the shift to zero emission vehicles green public transport, cycling and walking ‘jet zero’ and green ships greener buildings investing in carbon capture, usage and storage protecting our natural environment green finance and innovation

Bold and strikethrough added to the first to be knocked off the list.

Just to correct the economics the Bank of Englands £65 billion emergency bond-buying programme, was just the notional amount the Bank said they were willing to commit to buy gilts.

In the end they spent only 19billion buying them and made about 3.8billion profit from selling them back...

Latest Comments

It's giving me trouble on my laptop as well (which is a bit old, I must admit), but on my phone it runs well and love it!

Lack of hi-vis at 2:30pm in June?

Hi, anybody knows what is the brand or model of aero bottle and bottle cage present in the new madone above? It have a great design.

Sir Mark Cavendish, well deserved. 

You are replying to an established troll.

I'm surprised no-one suggested a chain cleaning gadget. Surely better to have brushes thoroughly clean out all the crannies.. I put a bit of water...

But https://youtu.be/lwRHkS912ks?feature=shared

One promoted by both of our main shyster parties where the motorist is claimed to be far more im[portant than anyone else....

Stage 1 peaked at 130m and stage 2 didn't go above 100m.  That in cycling terms is flat.  It doesn't matter if this was a men's or women's race, it...

You may well be right, but for me it is genuine curiosidad about engineering and efficiency.

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  • Urgent call on Government to reverse devastating cuts to active travel budget

by Hannah Dobson March 16, 2023 3

It feels like, given the response to our original story on this , this press release from the Walking and Cycling Alliance is worthy of a share . For what it’s worth, the Department for Transport still hasn’t answered the questions we asked them:

signpost chipps singletrack world magazine

In an open letter to the Prime Minister , a coalition of charities, professional organisations and businesses representing millions of citizens has urged a reversal of the proposed cuts to active travel funding announced by Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, on 9 March.

Worryingly, the announcement sees the Government backtrack on the level of investment that was promised and that is imperative to deliver on its own statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2), calling into question its commitment to the strategy and to supporting active travel at this critical time.

The letter confirms that the devastating cuts – which include a two-thirds reduction to promised capital investment in walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure – make it impossible for the government to meet its 2050 net zero target and its goal for 50% of all journeys in English towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030.

The coalition, which includes members of the Walking and Cycling Alliance alongside a further 28 organisations and over 118 cycle training providers, has joined together to express its deep concern at the wiping away of vital funds, emphasising that the cuts “are a backward move for the economy, the climate and health” and “leave England lagging far behind other UK nations and London, where per capita investment is many times higher, at a time when we need to be raising the bar everywhere”.

Research by walking, wheeling and cycling charity, Sustrans, estimates that active travel contributed £36.5 billion to the UK economy in 2021, saved 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by taking 14.6 million cars off the road, and prevented 138,000 serious long-term health conditions.

active travel funding cuts

Xavier Brice, Chief Executive of walking and cycling charity Sustrans , said: “More than ever, people want and need support to walk, wheel or cycle and we know that these cuts will impact those that would have benefited most, limiting their choice to travel healthily, cheaply and emissions-free.

“In the current economic climate, this funding is more important than ever to help everyone access the things they need without having to rely on a car. That’s why we’re urging the Government to maintain its commitment and reassure us that revenue funding will remain at the levels promised in July 2022’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.”

Signatories to the letter include:  

The Walking and Cycling Alliance   

·       The Bicycle Association, Phillip Darnton OBE, Chairman  

·       Bikeability, Emily Cherry, Executive Director  

·       British Cycling, Caroline Julian, External Affairs Director  

·       Cycling UK, Sarah Mitchell, CEO Ramblers, Ross Maloney, CEO  

·       Living Streets, Steven Edwards, CEO  

·       Sustrans, Xavier Brice, CEO 

While you’re here…

After Slashing Active Travel Funding, Government Keeps £4.8 billion Fuel Price Discount
Government Slashes Funding For Cycling And Active Travel

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I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

  • This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by ratherbeintobago .

In case anyone hasn’t seen this, the Cycling UK petition is here – get signing/emailing, people!

@racefaceec90 – Brill – thanks!

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Active Travel in the wild: Cyclists riding as red London bus and black cab pass by

MPs issue statement as Active Travel funding is cut

This week has witnessed a new low for UK micromobility and active travel campaigners, one which, deeply ironically, was announced on the same day – Thursday March 9th – as the “European Commission Executive-Vice President Frans Timmermans, announced the EU institutions will complete an ambitious cycling plan this year, including commitments to increase funding for infrastructure and industrial growth.” This followed the European Parliaments February call on the Commission and Member States to take actions to double cycling in the EU.

In stark contrast, UK government announced, “ a devastating £200m cut to the active travel budget in England.” As Sustrans reports , “ This sets us on the completely wrong path for society, the economy and the environment. And it sees the government backtrack on its previous pledges for active travel investment.”

Other sources have the budget cut closer to £380 million.

Making a statement directly addressing the announced gutting of Active Travel funding, Selaine Saxby MP and Ruth Cadbury MP comment:

“It is incredibly disappointing that the active travel budget has seen such extensive cuts at a time where we need to really make progress on decarbonisation and when people need cheap transport choices.

We’ve witnessed the popularity of active travel increase in the capital but other parts of England will now not benefit from the same quality transport system. London now has three times as much funding per year for active travel than the rest of England combined.

We understand that there are pressures on the public purse but active travel schemes frequently have much higher benefit:cost ratios than road building schemes, many of which are still going ahead despite falling value for money for taxpayers. No other mode of transport will deliver the same health benefits and actually save the NHS money. If we’re serious about decarbonisation and giving people real choices on how they move, active travel needs to be properly and consistently funded.”

For many this will, regrettably, come as no surprise, yet no less a shock. In September of 2022 Chris Boardman stating that Active Travel England was (is) some £15+ billion underfund , based on the bodies stated aims.

This week also saw the government rule out road user charging with the ‘Chancellor of the Exchequer respond(ing) to the Transport Select Committee on Road User Charging with a 1 page letter concluding “the government does not currently have plans to consider road pricing”. It took 13 months for this reply to be provided compared to the expected 2 months.’

All this whilst RAC Foundation Director, Steve Gooding , highlighted that ‘ Based on current trends, getting the car fleet up to 35% pure battery electric by 2030 – without reducing driven miles – looks like a monumentally steep challenge, like climbing Everest on a bad day ’.

Draw what conclusions you will, but one thing is abundantly clear; UK government has once again show itself to be incapable of leadership in the face of increasingly interconnected challenges, and roundly embarrassed by the performance of EU neighbours acting as a collective body, working to remodel transport for a fast approaching, climate challenged, future.

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Cuts to England’s cycling and walking budget challenged in court

Campaigners say loss of £200m from active travel budget is illegal and resulted from Treasury pressure

Swingeing cuts to public spending on cycling and walking in England should be overturned as government expenditure was already insufficient to meet legally binding climate targets, the high court has been told.

Campaigners are challenging a decision in 2023 to cut more than £200m from the Department for Transport’s active travel budget for the following two years.

In a judicial review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday, lawyers for Transport Action Network (Tan) argued that the cuts threatened a key plank of the UK’s carbon reduction strategy.

The DfT’s budget for cycling and walking was cut by more than 50% in March last year in a move that was overshadowed by accompanying cuts to the HS2 high-speed rail scheme , announced the same day.

Lawyers for Tan argued that the decision was incompatible with the government’s net zero strategy and transport decarbonisation plan, which set out proposals and policies required to meet carbon budgets.

The first of the strategic priorities outlined in the plan was to accelerate “modal shift” from car use to sustainable travel.

Accompanying targets included doubling cycling journeys and ensuring more than half of primary school age children walked to school by the middle of this decade.

David Forsdick KC, representing Tan, said in written arguments that the DfT had decided not to cut funding which was “central to achieving the objectives for active travel, was important for equality ambitions, for air quality targets and for delivery confidence in meeting carbon targets, and had a very high cost-benefit ratio”.

The barrister said that “immediately prior” to the March 2023 decision, the Treasury and No 10 required the transport secretary, Mark Harper, “to impose ‘additional savings’”. Forsdick said: “This appears to explain, at least in part, the illegalities in the decision.”

In November 2023, a critical public accounts committee report found that the DfT had made little progress against its objectives to increase active travel, and was not on track to meet its 2025 targets.

Although Dame Bernadette Kelly, the DfT’s permanent secretary, told the committee hearings that she “would not identify funding as the key issue” in missing targets, Tan claims that the money allocated was already inadequate to meet the climate pledges.

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Tan’s lawyers also claim that the funding decision last March was only made after an 11th-hour intervention from the Treasury that did not allow time for proper consideration. They also argue that the move failed to take into account air quality considerations.

The DfT has told the court that none of the grounds has any substantive merit and that the claim should be dismissed. The government said it had invested more than £850m in active travel in 2020-21 and 2022-23.

A judgment is expected to be delivered in the weeks following Tuesday’s hearing.

A DfT spokesperson said: “This government is doing more than any other to promote walking and cycling, investing over £3bn into active travel during this parliament up to 2025. We await the verdict and will respond fully once received.”

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Cross-party peers and MPs call on government to reverse active travel cuts

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  • Active Travel , Air Quality & Emissions , Industry finance , Local Government , National Government , Transport
  • 4 . 07 . 2023

A 60-strong group of parliamentarians from all parties, have put their names to a letter calling for the recent cuts in England’s active travel budget to be reversed. 

Earlier this year, the active travel budget was reduced by at least £200 million, about two thirds of the budget.

Organisations opposed to the cuts were quick to point out that active travel contributed £36.5 billion to the UK economy in 2021, took up to 14.6 million cars off the road and prevented 2.5m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, reports Air Quality News.

Sustrans has also said these cuts will make it impossible for the UK Government to meet its own 2050 net-zero targets and the goal for 50% of journeys in towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030.  

In an open letter delivered to 10 Downing Street, the group of cross-party parliamentarians urged the Prime Minister to reverse the recently announced cuts to active travel funding and provide the necessary funding to ensure everyone can access cycling and its economic, social and environmental benefits.

The letter said: “In March, the Transport Secretary announced that active travel funding would be cut, an overall two-thirds reduction in capital dedicated to improving active travel infrastructure over the next two years. This will make it impossible to reach the Government’s crucial 2050 net-zero targets and the goal of 50% of all journeys in English towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030. This funding cut is disappointing as it provided funding for investment into active travel infrastructure, which is vital to ensuring increased uptake of sustainable modes of transport.”

The letter went on to say: “Over the years, there has been much progress in encouraging all forms of active travel, particularly cycling. But now is not the ?me to reduce funding, with research showing the vast economic, environmental and social benefits of cycling and other forms of active travel. It is estimated that active travel contributed £36.5 billion to the UK economy in 2021 and prevented 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from being released.”

Signatories included APPG for Cycling and Walking Co-Chairs Selaine Saxby and Ruth Cadbury, Conservative MPs Sally-Ann Hart, Sir Peter Bottomley and Andrew Selous, along with others including Baroness Natalie Bennett and Grahame Morris MP

Julian Scriven. MD of Brompton Bike Hire said: “It has been incredibly disappointing to watch the Government row back on a decade of progress in cycling by cutting active travel budgets, which in turn create barriers to achieving crucial political priorities. 

“As the level of cross-party support shows, Brompton are far from alone in viewing these cuts as misguided, ill-conceived, and counterproductive. We need to be backing cycling and British cycling manufacturers without which the Government stands no chance of hitting its cycling, health, and environmental targets.”

Flick Drummond MP, Conservative MP for Meon Valley said: “Ensuring that the UK is Net Zero by 2050 is rightly a crucial priority for the Government, but the cuts to active travel funding make this target significantly harder. 

“Without the modest funding that was committed to active travel, we put at risk not only the progress we have made but increasing the numbers of people taking up cycling as a hobby or mode of transport.  Cycling is an option open to all and is a key part of our transport mix and we should be doing everything to incentivise people to take up cycling and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.  

“Across the political divide, we know that these cuts put at risk incentivising active lifestyles, encouraging growth in cycling, and our own environmental commitments. I, therefore, urge the Government to restore Active Travel England funding as soon as possible.”

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DfT’s active travel budget has ‘more than halved’

14 Mar, 2023 By Thomas Johnson

The Department for Transport (DfT) has slashed £380M of the £710M promised in 2021 for the UK’s active travel budget, claims the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW).

In a statement written by secretary of state for transport Mark Harper last week, it was announced that £100M would be spent on active travel in the next two years.

With £230M already having been spent so far, according to the APPGCW, the amount slated for active travel has more than halved from the Spending Review in 2021, which set out the £710M spending plans.

Echoing the APPGCW's concerns, the Walking and Cycling Alliance (WCA), a body consisting of British Cycling, Living Streets, Ramblers and Sustrans, stated Harper’s announcement means at least a two-thirds cut to promised capital investment in walking and cycling.

APPGCW co-chairs Ruth Cadbury and Selaine Saxby jointly stated: “It is incredibly disappointing that the active travel budget has seen successive cuts at a time when we need to really make progress on decarbonisation and when people need cheap transport choices.

“We’ve witnessed the popularity of active travel increase in the capital but other parts of England will now not benefit from the same quality transport system. London now has three times as much funding per year for active travel than the rest of England combined.”

Harper’s statement claims £850M has been spent on active travel by the government since 2020.

It continues: “Despite the need to deliver efficiency in all areas of our budget, we will still commit to spend at least a further £100M capital into active travel over the remainder of the spending period, as part of a total of around £3bn investment in active travel over this parliament, including from City and Region Sustainable Transport settlements and National Highways.

“We will review these levels as soon as practically possible.”

Conservative mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and West Midlands Cycling and Walking commissioner Adam Tranter wrote to active travel minister Jesse Norman urging the DfT to rethink the new figures.

The letter reads: “The £710M approved for active travel in the 2021 Spending Review was hugely welcomed by the West Midlands.

“However, yesterday’s announcement represents a reduction of £380m from that commitment. This is a very deep cut at a time where we urgently need to decarbonise, provide people with low-cost transport options, and work to improve the nation’s health.

“Given the current economic challenges we appreciate that difficult spending decisions have to be made, especially in the DfT’s capital programme. However, what seems incredibly difficult to justify is the disproportionate cut in the active travel budget.

“No other transport schemes can be delivered as quickly and cost-effectively as active travel, with benefit-cost ratios of 4.7 to 32.8 for cycling schemes compared to 3.1 to 5.1 for road schemes.”

The cuts were announced in the same statement that revealed the two year "rephasing" to High Speed 2, the Lower Thames Crossing and other major road projects. Harper referenced “headwinds” the government was facing from inflation in relation to the Russia-Ukraine War and supply chain disruptions arising from the pandemic.

The statement reads: “These headwinds have made it difficult to deliver on our capital programmes, and we recognise that some schemes are going to take longer than expected. Refocusing our efforts will allow us to double down on delivering the rest of our capital programme.

“This will place our transport investments on a sustainable footing and allow us to support the government’s priorities of halving inflation, growing the economy and reducing debt.”

Cadbury and Saxby’s statement continued: “We understand that there are pressures on the public purse but active travel schemes frequently have much higher benefit:cost rations than road building schemes, many of which are still going ahead despite falling value for money for taxpayers.

“No other mode of transport will deliver the same health benefits and actually save the NHS money. If we’re serious about decarbonisation and giving people real choices on how they move, active travel needs to be properly and consistently funded.”

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Government Punctures Local Authorities Active Travel Plans

Government Punctures Local Authorities Active Travel Plans

Matt Winfield, Executive Director – England, Northern Ireland and Wales, at walking and cycling charity Sustrans explains the damage recent cuts to active travel funding will have.

Buried in a written statement on 9th March, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP, announced that overall active travel funding for England in the current parliamentary term is being reduced from £3.8 billion to £3 billion.

This includes a two-thirds cut to promised capital investment in infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling, from £308 million to only £100 million for the next two years. But what do these cuts actually mean? And why have over 10,000 people signed our letter calling on the Government to reverse the cuts?

Local authorities have been spurred on by the Government to be more aspirational and build new infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling, only to have the ongoing support required ripped out from under them.

In May, the Department for Transport, alongside Active Travel England, announced the winners of previously earmarked funding under ‘Active Travel Fund 4’ (ATF4). Local authorities had the chance to bid for a slice of £200 million, pitting them against each other for who had the most ambitious plans. In the most recent fanfare giving detail to the commitment, the Government failed to mention this funding is about to fall off a cliff.

This is a disaster. As investment crashes to inadequate levels projects will be abandoned, jobs will be lost, and the ability to sustain long-term change to the way people travel is threatened.

These cuts also call into question the Government’s commitment to Net Zero – a target that they themselves are now seemingly backtracking on.

active travel funding cuts

A recent report from Greg Marsden, a former member of the Department for Transport’s Net Zero Board, showed that in the last two years Department for Transport’s actions to reduce transport emissions, including support for walking, wheeling and cycling, have dropped by 72%. The Government argues the responsibility lies with local authorities, but without consistent funding they are being set up to fail.

Active travel isn’t a ‘nice to have’. Active travel and reduced car usage must be at the heart of the UK’s transport decarbonisation plan. Experience elsewhere shows change is possible. Brussels has seen cycling increase by 7% in 5 years, while car journeys fell by over 14%. We just need to give people the opportunity to choose how they travel.

Extrapolating Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling Index 2021 figures to the UK population found that people walking, wheeling and cycling took 14.6 million cars off the road, saving 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

The Government’s target that 50% of journeys in towns and cities will be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030 is now impossible. In a letter to the Transport Select Committee, in May, Mark Harper confirmed that he is unable to estimate how much it would cost to reach this goal, but he has no trouble blindly slashing the funding.

Transport for Quality of Life found that even if 100% of new vehicle sales were Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles by 2030, car mileage would still need to be reduced by between 10% and 20% if we are to limit global temperature rises to below 1.5 °C.

This is not about ‘converting’ drivers. It’s about giving everyone the choice to travel however they want – the choice to leave their car at home to walk to the local shop, allow their children to scoot to school along a safe street or feel empowered to commute to work on a bike.

It makes no sense to withdraw investment in active travel at a time of national financial strain, particularly when you consider it contributed £36.5 billion to the UK economy in 2021.

This came from a relatively modest investment from Government when compared to other transport modes.

As it stands, dedicated capital funding for active travel accounts for only 0.08% of the Department for Transport’s 2023/24 overall budget. No other mode of transport would have such short term, vulnerable funding.

The Department for Transport’s own analysis says that active travel schemes provide an average return on investment of £2.40 for every £1 invested. By its own calculations the Government is removing nearly £500 million in economic, social and environmental benefits through these cuts.

With repeated studies showing that walking and cycling improvements increase local retail spend by up to 30% , our high streets and local economies are dependent on people being able to get to them – and wanting to spend time there when they do.

By keeping people active, walking, wheeling and cycling prevented 138,000 serious long-term health conditions and avoided more than 29,000 early deaths in 2021.

Improving such infrastructure is also a means of helping to make our society more inclusive.

Over a third of people on low incomes and a similar proportion of disabled people do not have access to a car. For many that do, it is becoming more expensive to run one. In the next five years, six million British people are preparing to get rid of their cars…we need the infrastructure in place for them to be able to choose to do so.

Following the initial announcement of the cuts in March, Sustrans and other charities called on the Transport Secretary to reinstate the funding, noting that in so many areas “these cuts will leave England lagging far behind other UK nations and London, at a time when we need to be raising the bar everywhere.”

The path to transport decarbonisation isn’t about any one mode of travel, but about fair funding to create an integrated system of sustainable transport including buses, trams, trains, walking, wheeling and cycling, and cars.

We need to think long term, building on the progress we’ve already made, not setting ourselves back and putting ever increasing pressure on future generations to undo this mess. We must give walking, wheeling and cycling the funding it needs, before it’s too late.

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Cycling uk writes to prime minister as cycle lane funding cut by 75 percent.

active travel funding cuts

Cycling UK has joined its partners in WACA and more than 146 other organisations, including Campaign for Better Transport and Asthma + Lung UK, to write to the prime minister protesting at the disproportionate level of cuts to funding for cycling and walking infrastructure. The coalition of organisations is also seeking a reversal to the cuts and commitment to maintain previous levels of funding.  

Despite recent government acknowledgement of the likely failure to achieve its modest target of doubling current cycling levels in England from two per cent to four per cent of all journeys, on Thursday 09 March in an update to Parliament , the transport secretary announced massive cuts to future spending on cycling.

This government has effectively devastated the legacy of successive Conservative administrations and their work to get Britain cycling Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK chief executive

The news has been met with dismay by active travel groups and councils which say these unnecessary cuts will set back growth in cycling by more than a decade.

Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK chief executive said: “In one move, this government has effectively devastated the legacy of successive Conservative administrations and their work to get Britain cycling.

“At a time when people are faced with a cost of living crisis where they are questioning their transport choices, making cycling and walking easier is a cost effective area for government investment.

"We know that protected spaces for cycling can help save lives. Cycle lanes are cheap to build, and the consequent uptake in health and wellbeing benefits are well documented, as are the impact on reducing emissions when we have people drive less and cycle more for shorter journeys.”

In 2020, the government committed to invest £2 billion on active travel by 2025 but as the cycling minister admitted to Parliament, they are currently underspending their current allocation for active travel.

The minister stated that to date, the government has only invested £850 million in active travel, which until yesterday left £1.25 billion to be spent over the remaining two years leading up to 2025.

The cuts announced last week were tucked away in a wider statement about continued delays to HS2 and other major road projects.  They effectively reduce funding for cycle lanes and other schemes outside of London to encourage more walking from £200 million a year to £50 million – a 75 percent reduction.

The government announced it would spend over £40bn on transport schemes in the next years, which included only £100m on cycling and walking. This means that in England, less than 0.25 per cent of capital funding - which goes on infrastructure projects like HS2, building new roads and cycle ways - is now to be invested into active travel. This is despite walking and cycling making up for two percent of all journeys.

Unlike other major infrastructure projects, the level of cuts effectively puts a halt to the modest progress the current administration had made at increasing cycling and walking over the last 10 years.

During this period, local authorities have slowly developed the staff expertise in implementing active travel measures. With the latest cuts, unlike in advanced manufacturing or major projects like HS2, this expert knowledge will not be retained and councils will have to start from scratch when funding returns.

“Government should be providing more for active travel not cutting it. This funding decision is disastrous, and will set back the growth of cycling and walking in England for another decade at least,” said Ms Mitchell.

The reaction of the Walking and Cycling Alliance, made up of Sustrans, British Cycling, Cycling UK, Living Streets, the Ramblers and the Bicycle Association, was as expected. Xavier Brice, Sustrans CEO speaking on behalf of WACA said it was “heart-breaking”.

It is heart-breaking to see vital active travel budgets wiped away in England, at the exact time when they are most essential to UK economic, social and environmental prospects Xavier Brice, Sustrans CEO

“It is heart-breaking to see vital active travel budgets wiped away in England, at the exact time when they are most essential to UK economic, social and environmental prospects,” said Mr Brice.

“It simply doesn’t make sense to withdraw investment in active travel at this time. 

“Representing a two-thirds cut to promised capital investment in walking, cycling and wheeling, these cuts are a backward move for active travel and will counteract the tremendous progress we’ve seen in recent years. These cuts are disproportionate compared to those for road and rail and will leave England lagging far behind other UK nations and London, at a time when we need to be raising the bar everywhere.

“Promised government targets of 50% of all journeys in English towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030, are made impossible by these cuts.

“People walking, wheeling and cycling take 14.6 million cars off the road, saving 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

“More than ever, people want and need support to walk, cycle or wheel, and these cuts will impact those that would have benefited most, limiting our choice to travel healthily, cheaply and emissions-free.”

Currently the National Audit Office is investigating “whether government is set up to achieve its ambitions for increased cycling and walking by 2025 and beyond and deliver value for money through these investments” and anticipates publishing its findings in summer 2023.

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Do more with less —

Putin slashes russia’s space budget and says he expects better results, this cannot be a comfortable position for a certain dmitry olegovich rogozin..

Eric Berger - Oct 8, 2021 4:02 pm UTC

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with head of Russian space agency Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin during a flight to the Vostochny Cosmodrome on September 4, 2021.

Russia plans to slash funding for spaceflight activities during the coming three-year period, from 2022 to 2024. The cuts will come to about 16 percent annually, several Russian publications, including Finanz.ru , report. (These Russian-language articles were translated for Ars by Rob Mitchell.)

For 2022, the state budget for space activities will be set at 210 billion rubles ($2.9 billion), a cut of 40.3 billion rubles ($557 million) from the previous year. Similar cuts will follow in subsequent years. The most significant decreases will be in areas such as “manufacturing-technological activities" and "cosmodrome development." Funding for "scientific research and development" was zeroed out entirely.

Further Reading

The publications say Russian President Vladimir Putin is unhappy with the performance of Russia's space program. At a space industry meeting on September 29, they report, Putin criticized the industry’s failure to fulfill directives on long-term goals in the space sphere. In 2020, for example, Roscosmos failed to hit 30 of the 83 stated goals of the national space program.

Putin has reportedly told the Russian space corporation, Roscosmos, that it must increase the reliability of Russian rockets and "master" the next generation of launch vehicles. This directive has come in response to growing competition in the global space launch business, particularly from US-based SpaceX.

These budget cuts, however, will only further constrain the leader of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin. He is already facing budgetary pressures from the loss of income from flying NASA astronauts to the International Space Station—a project valued at about $400 million or more annually—as well as United Launch Alliance no longer purchasing RD-180 rocket engines.

The cuts also raise questions about the future of Roscosmos, which has been restructured on multiple occasions during the last decade. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Roscosmos acted in a manner similar to that of NASA. As a space agency, it had a number of contractors who provided services and built rockets, spacecraft, and satellites. Among the biggest of these were RKK Energia, The Khrunichev Center, RCC Progress, NPO Energomash, TsENKI, and TsNIIMash.

In 2013, Russia re-nationalized its space industry and converted the contracting companies into corporations owned and operated by the state. Three years later, the Russian national space agency was then dissolved and merged into the Roscosmos State Corporation, which became the parent company for the state-owned space companies.

Rogozin became the head of Roscosmos in 2018, and last year he further reorganized its subsidiaries into business blocks.

In recent years, Roscosmos has been beset by corruption in its efforts to build a large new spaceport in the eastern part of the country. In 2019, before he was jailed by Putin, opposition leader Alexei Navalny alleged widespread corruption across the Russian space enterprise and detailed how Rogozin appears to have enriched himself personally.

According to documents uncovered by Navalny, Rogozin used Roscosmos funding to purchase a Mercedes-Benz S560 for himself and a Range Rover for his wife. Combined, these vehicles are valued at about $300,000. The Roscosmos chief then acquired an 8,600-square-foot dacha north of Moscow worth about $3 million. And the documents appear to obscure even more gains, Navalny argued.

Rogozin has denied these allegations. And frankly, for a Western-based journalist who does not speak Russian or fully understand Russian politics, it can be difficult to disentangle truth from lie. But what does seem clear is that the Russian space program's future is bleak. Whereas China is rising with a space station of its own and ambitious new exploration plans and the US space industry is flourishing amid a rise in commercial activity, Russia is seeking to maintain a status quo of space vehicles developed decades ago.

The country's space employees are already paid extremely low wages. Now, there will be fewer resources to invest in the future—a future into which Putin has charged Rogozin with leading Russia's space program. This cannot be a comfortable position for a certain Dmitry Olegovich Rogozin.

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Travel Budget for Moscow Visit Moscow on a Budget or Travel in Style

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  • How much does it cost to travel to Moscow? (Average Daily Cost)
  • Moscow trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Moscow expensive to visit?

  • How much do I need for a trip to Moscow?
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How much does it cost to travel to Moscow?

You should plan to spend around $63 (₽5,802) per day on your vacation in Moscow. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $14 (₽1,315) on meals
  • $6.18 (₽566) on local transportation
  • $80 (₽7,330) on hotels

A one week trip to Moscow for two people costs, on average, $887 (₽81,233) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 63 ₽ 5,802
  • One Week Per person $ 443 ₽ 40,617
  • 2 Weeks Per person $ 887 ₽ 81,233
  • One Month Per person $ 1,900 ₽ 174,071
  • One Week For a couple $ 887 ₽ 81,233
  • 2 Weeks For a couple $ 1,773 ₽ 162,467
  • One Month For a couple $ 3,800 ₽ 348,143

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Moscow cost?

A one week trip to Moscow usually costs around $443 (₽40,617) for one person and $887 (₽81,233) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Moscow on average costs around $887 (₽81,233) for one person and $1,773 (₽162,467) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Moscow will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Moscow on average costs around $1,900 (₽174,071) for one person and $3,800 (₽348,143) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Moscow has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Moscow is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Russia, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Moscow is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Moscow Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Moscow?

The average Moscow trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Moscow travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Moscow

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Moscow is $40 (₽3,665). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Moscow is $80 (₽7,330). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 40 ₽ 3,665
  • Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 80 ₽ 7,330

Hotel Prices in Moscow

Looking for a hotel in Moscow? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

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Transportation Budget in Moscow

The cost of a taxi ride in Moscow is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $6.18 (₽566) per person, per day, on local transportation in Moscow.

  • Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 6.18 ₽ 566

Flights to Moscow

Rental cars in moscow, what did other people spend on transportation in moscow.

Typical prices for Transportation in Moscow are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moscow, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

  • Two Metro Passes ₽ 135

Food Budget in Moscow

While meal prices in Moscow can vary, the average cost of food in Moscow is $14 (₽1,315) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Moscow should cost around $5.74 (₽526) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Moscow is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

  • Food 2 Meals for one day $ 14 ₽ 1,315

What did other people spend on Food in Moscow?

Typical prices for Food in Moscow are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moscow, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

  • Lunch for Two ₽ 550
  • Lunch in the Center Market ₽ 300
  • Breakfast for 2 ₽ 1,000

Entertainment Budget in Moscow

Entertainment and activities in Moscow typically cost an average of $16 (₽1,471) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 16 ₽ 1,471

Recommended Activities

  • 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower Viator $ 250

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Moscow?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Moscow are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moscow, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

  • Theater Tickets ₽ 1,150
  • Kremlin Entry (2) ₽ 1,000

Tips and Handouts Budget in Moscow

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Moscow is $0.25 (₽23) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Moscow is 5% - 15% .

  • Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 0.25 ₽ 23

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Moscow

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Moscow is $1.25 (₽115), as reported by travelers.

  • Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 1.25 ₽ 115

Alcohol Budget in Moscow

The average person spends about $7.94 (₽727) on alcoholic beverages in Moscow per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 7.94 ₽ 727

Water Budget in Moscow

On average, people spend $0.70 (₽64) on bottled water in Moscow per day. The public water in Moscow is considered safe to drink.

  • Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 0.70 ₽ 64

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Stop active travel funding cuts

We've joined a coalition of organisations to write an open letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to reverse the proposed cut to active travel funding.

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP

Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA

14 March 2023

Dear Prime Minister,

RE: Cuts to active travel funding

We are writing to you as a diverse coalition of charities, professional organisations and businesses representing millions of citizens, asking you to reverse the proposed cut to active travel funding.

In a written statement on 9 March, the Transport Secretary announced that overall active travel funding for the current parliamentary term is being reduced from £3.8 billion to £3 billion.

This includes a two-thirds cut to promised capital investment in infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling, from £308 million to only £100 million for the next two years.

We were disappointed to see vital active travel budgets wiped away in England, at the exact time when they are most essential to the UK’s economic, social and environmental prospects.

We believe these cuts are a backward move for the economy, the climate and health.

This cut will counteract the tremendous progress we’ve seen in recent years, driven in part by the commitments to cycling made in the 2019 Conservative Party manifesto, the active travel funding you announced as Chancellor, your ongoing commitment to Net Zero and the commitment to cycling you made in the 2022 Conservative leadership race.

We are concerned that the Department for Transport appears to have varied the financial resources for its second statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2), without considering its own and Active Travel England’s ability to meet the objectives defined in that strategy.

Indeed, this cut will mean the Government will not be able to achieve its target of 50% of all journeys in English towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030.

These cuts call into question the Government’s commitment to this statutory strategy, especially given their relatively small impact on overall spending versus their benefits and significance. 

These cuts will also leave England lagging far behind other UK nations and London, where per capita investment is many times higher, at a time when we need to be raising the bar everywhere.

The benefits of supporting active travel far outweigh the costs. People walking, wheeling and cycling took 14.6 million cars off the road in 2021.

This saved 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, prevented 138,000 serious long-term health conditions and avoided more than 29,000 early deaths.

Active travel routes also provide green corridors to help cool our cities and allow people to access nature.

Overall, we estimate that active travel contributed £36.5 billion to the UK economy in 2021, with a relatively modest investment from Government when compared to other transport modes. 

More than ever, people want and need support to walk, wheel or cycle.

These cuts will impact those that would have benefited most and limit the choice to travel healthily, cheaply and emissions-free.

Over a third of people on low incomes and a similar proportion of disabled people do not have access to a car. For many that do, it is becoming prohibitively expensive to run.

In the current economic climate, this funding is more important than ever to help everyone walk, wheel or cycle to access the things they need.

In light of the clear need to support active travel at this critical time, we urge you to commit to maintaining the funding set out in CWIS2 back in July 2022.

Furthermore, we seek your reassurance that revenue funding levels will remain at the levels promised.

Yours sincerely,

  • The Bicycle Association, Phillip Darnton OBE, Chairman
  • Bikeability, Emily Cherry, Executive Director
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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

7-day Moscow itinerary

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

things to do in Moscow in one week

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

travel itinerary for one week in Moscow

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

exploring Moscow

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

Moscow sights

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

top things to do in Moscow

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

one week Moscow itinerary

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

Moscow itinerary

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

things to do in Moscow in seven days

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

active travel funding cuts

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

active travel funding cuts

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

active travel funding cuts

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

active travel funding cuts

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

active travel funding cuts

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

active travel funding cuts

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

active travel funding cuts

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

active travel funding cuts

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

active travel funding cuts

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

active travel funding cuts

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

active travel funding cuts

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

active travel funding cuts

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

active travel funding cuts

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

active travel funding cuts

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

active travel funding cuts

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

active travel funding cuts

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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Ukraine-Russia war: Putin sets conditions for ceasefire - but Ukraine says it is 'complete sham'

Vladimir Putin has promised a ceasefire if Ukraine withdraws its troops from occupied regions, saying Russia would be ready for talks "tomorrow". But Ukraine has dismissed his remarks as a "complete sham", while the US has said Moscow is in "no position" to dictate.

Friday 14 June 2024 23:08, UK

  • Putin promises ceasefire if Kyiv withdraws troops from occupied regions
  • Zelenskyy warns Putin's peace offer cannot be trusted
  • 'Close to the point of no return': Russian president issues ominous warning in wide-ranging attack on West countries
  • Ivor Bennett: Putin has chosen the timing of his remarks carefully
  • Soviet negotiating tactics explained
  • Big picture: Everything you need to know about the war right now
  • Your questions answered:  Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
  • Live reporting by Katie Williams

That brings an end to our coverage of the Ukraine war for this evening.

Scroll through the blog below to catch up on the day's developments.

EU ambassadors have agreed to formally begin accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova later this month.

The Belgian EU presidency said talks would start on 25 June.

According to the presidency, the decision should be given the nod by finance and economy ministers at a meeting next Friday.

The European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine in December last year.

Last week, the EU said both countries had met the criteria needed to start formal discussions, with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal revealing his hope that talks would start this month.

Hot off the heels of his appearance at the G7 leaders' meeting in Italy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Switzerland for the Ukraine peace summit aimed at exploring ways of ending the war in his country.

World leaders including Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron and US vice president Kamala Harris are set to join Mr Zelenskyy at the summit.

But it's expected to fall short of its aim to isolate Moscow, with China among a group of countries choosing not to attend.

G7 nations have reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes".

A final statement from the summit in Italy saw leaders affirm their plan to finance a $50bn loan for Kyiv using "extraordinary revenues" from frozen Russian assets.

They said the move sends an "unmistakable signal" to Vladimir Putin as the war rages on.

Volodydmyr Zelenskyy called the decision a" vital step forward in providing sustainable support for Ukraine in winning this war".

Mr Putin, meanwhile, has condemned the freezing of Russian assets as "theft" and has vowed it "will not go unpunished".

According to US and French officials, the money could be in Kyiv's hands before the end of the year.

Ukraine has attacked Russia's border region of Belogorod, killing five people, according to Russian officials.

Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said two bodies were pulled from the rubble of an apartment block in Shebekino.

News agencies cited emergency services as saying a third body was later found, after the alleged shelling caused a stairwell to collapse.

Reports also said a driver was killed when a drone hit their car in a nearby village, while a woman was reportedly killed in her home as it was hit by rocket fire in the village of Oktyabrsky.

Sky News cannot independently verify the reports.

By Artem Lysak, Ukraine producer, and Deborah Haynes , security and defence editor

Ukrainian forces have struck a military airfield in Russia, targeting warplanes and glide-bomb facilities used to launch deadly attacks against Ukraine, a security source has revealed.

The source said the operation last night was part of a "sustained campaign to degrade the Russian Air Force" just as Ukraine has done with Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

Satellite imagery shared by the source purported to show two SU-34 fighter-bombers at the Morozovsk airbase in southern Russia as well as a white structure before the attack.

A second image is purported to show the aftermath, with both aircraft and the structure destroyed.

There has been no official confirmation about the strikes from Ukraine.

Read the full story here ...

By Dominic Waghorn , international affairs editor

They came battered and worn by battles back home for a few days by the sea seeking sanctuary and solace in a wellness resort turned summit venue.

The G7 leaders will leave fortified by some surprisingly robust diplomatic progress but potentially terminal doubts remain for the alliance.

They have sent Russia a clear message. They may individually be on borrowed time as leaders but the West  has Ukraine's back for as long as it takes.

And China's been on the sharp end of some particularly proactive diplomacy too.

Two signature deals send billions more aid to Ukraine. The allies overcame stark differences between themselves to forge a creative deal that uses interest from frozen Russia banking assets to send fifty billion more dollars to Kyiv by the year's end.

In Moscow the Russians did not conceal their fury at the prospect of their money being used against them.

And a ten year bilateral security pact between America and Ukraine is another blow to Vladimir Putin. He started this war to deter the expansion of the western military alliance. Yet again it is having the opposite effect. The pact is a bridge to Ukraine joining NATO, even if that is many many years still away.

The G7 warned China in a number of ways. The final communique criticised its belligerence in the South China Sea and admonished Beijing for quietly helping Putin's war effort by trading dual use products that could help bolster his war effort.

But the composition of this summit was also a message for Beijing. The G7 invited pretty much the entire G20 here except for China.  If you want to be in the club they were saying, not very subtly, then stop conniving with Putin and play by our rules. 

In Beijing that will be infuriating.

The leaders have seemed all the better for their spell in the sunshine, spirits lifted before going home to face the music. 

But what they cant do is dispel doubts about their future and that of the alliance.

Security pacts tend to survive changes of administration, Ukraine will have its $50bn by year's end.

But what will the G7 look like when they next meet a year from now?

Donald Trump looks increasingly likely to win the US election and Joe Biden's performance here will have nothing to reassure the allies. He has seemed vacant and distracted at times, older than ever.

Trump has no time for multilateral organisations. That was made abundantly clear in his first term in office. In his transactional zero sum game world view they make no sense.

A year from now he could be six months into destroying NATO, deserting Ukraine and dismantling the G7. 

First time round for all his puerile antics, he could do limited damage at these summits contained by the likes of Merkel and Macron both at the height of their powers.

Olaf Scholz is no Merkel and may be gone by then, joining Sunak, Kishida and Trudeau perhaps too heading for the history books.  Macron is on the way to being a lame duck president hamstrung by a far right national assembly if current polling is correct.

The alliance is in peril like never before, however successful they've been holding it together for now.

Earlier we reported comments by Volodymyr Zelenskyy that a ceasefire offer put forward by Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted.

In an interview with our Italian partner network Sky TG24 , Mr Zelenskyy warned the Russian president would not stop his offensive, even if Ukraine agreed to hand over the regions Russia claims to have annexed.

He also drew a comparison between Mr Putin and Adolf Hitler's Nazi policies of expansion before the Second World War, saying:  "It is the same thing that Hitler used to do... this is why we should not trust these messages."

Watch the clip here...

Three Russian servicemen have reportedly died following an ammunition explosion in a Russian town about four miles north of the Ukraine border.

Shells from a thermobaric warhead, also called an aerosol bomb, exploded in Shebekino, as reported by the Russian Telegram channel Astra.

"Astra's sources in the region's emergency services reported that in the evening, ammunition from the Russian Solntsepyok MRLS thermobaric weapon system exploded in the suburb of Shebekino," the report said.

The cause of the explosion is unknown, but preliminary reports indicate it was "spontaneous". 

Despite Astra's sources claiming three Russian servicemen died in the explosion, Shebekino's governor reported there were zero injuries . 

Ten private households and one car were damaged, they said. 

In a show of unity aimed at Vladimir Putin, G7 leaders meeting in Italy this week finally agreed to a deal to use profits from frozen Russian assets to provide around $50bn (£40bn) worth of support to Ukraine.

And in another significant announcement, Joe Biden signed a 10-year bilateral security deal between the US and Ukraine which Kyiv is calling "historic".

On this episode, Niall Paterson explores the impact these deals will have for Ukraine in its war against Russia with international editor Dominic Waghorn.

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active travel funding cuts

IMAGES

  1. June 2023 Transport Questions

    active travel funding cuts

  2. Sustrans challenging UK government over active travel budget decimation

    active travel funding cuts

  3. Active Travel

    active travel funding cuts

  4. Legal challenge launched against UK government after active travel cuts

    active travel funding cuts

  5. Urgent call on Government to reverse devastating cuts to active travel budget

    active travel funding cuts

  6. Annual Bulletins NTA Active Travel

    active travel funding cuts

COMMENTS

  1. U.K. Government Cuts Active Travel Budget

    The cuts will leave England lagging behind other U.K. nations and London. Spending on active travel over the next two years, outside of London, is £1 per head per year which compares to £8.90 ...

  2. Watchdog MPs Scathing Of U.K. Government Cuts To Active Travel

    The Government is not on track to meet objectives to increase rates of active travel by 2025, says a PAC report published today.PAC warns that funding cuts made this year by the Department for ...

  3. Sustrans responds to active travel funding cuts in England

    Yesterday, 9 March 2023, the UK Government announced a devastating £200m cut to the active travel budget in England. This sets us on the completely wrong path for society, the economy and the environment. And it sees the government backtrack on its previous pledges for active travel investment. Vital active travel budgets wiped away in England

  4. Don't be fooled by the Government's 'good news'

    These cuts represent a two-thirds reduction from £308 million to £100 million over two years. Active travel funding for 2023/24 is likely to be reduced to £50 million, and the same for 2024/25. The cuts mean the Government's own target of 50% of urban journeys being walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030 will be impossible.

  5. "A backward move"

    Fri, Mar 10, 2023 15:38. 43. The government has slashed the budget for active travel schemes in England outside London in what has been described as "a backward move" by the Walking & Cycling Alliance (WACA), which estimates that two thirds of previously promised funding will be lost, making it "impossible" to meet Net Zero and active ...

  6. Urgent call on Government to reverse devastating cuts to active travel

    Urgent call on Government to reverse devastating cuts to active travel budget. In an open letter to the Prime Minister, we're joining a coalition of charities, professional organisations and businesses representing millions of citizens to demand a reversal of the proposed cuts to active travel funding announced by Transport Secretary, Mark Harper.

  7. Government Slashes Funding For Cycling And Active Travel

    NEW: Significant cuts announced for walking and cycling. £710m was approved for active travel in the 2021 Spending Review. £230m has been spent so far. Today's announcement of £100m for the ...

  8. Active travel: Government programme off-track as funding reductions

    In a report published today, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that funding cuts made this year by the Department for Transport (DfT) could hold back objectives to increase active travel, including cycling and walking. The report further warns that the impact of £2.3bn in funding for active travel infrastructure remains unclear.

  9. Active travel in England

    This included a £233 million reduction in its dedicated funding for active travel up to April 2025. 19 We received written evidence from the Walking and Cycling Alliance, Sustrans, and Local Government Association setting out their concerns that cuts to active travel funding place a huge challenge on local authorities' ability to deliver ...

  10. Urgent call on Government to reverse devastating cuts to active travel

    Research by walking, wheeling and cycling charity, Sustrans, estimates that active travel contributed £36.5 billion to the UK economy in 2021, saved 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions ...

  11. MPs issue statement as Active Travel funding is cut

    Environment Featured News Politics Trade Opinions. MPs issue statement as Active Travel funding is cut. Friday, 10 March 2023 Simon Cox. This week has witnessed a new low for UK micromobility and active travel campaigners, one which, deeply ironically, was announced on the same day - Thursday March 9th - as the "European Commission ...

  12. Government faces legal challenge over active travel funding cuts

    Todd explains that there are cuts of £104M per year on capital funding, while the rest of the funding reduction (£25M) represent revenue funding cuts. Revenue funding pays for Active Travel England - a government agency and inspectorate for active travel - operations and supports active travel interventions aimed at promoting behavioural ...

  13. Cuts to England's cycling and walking budget challenged in court

    Campaigners say loss of £200m from active travel budget is illegal and resulted from Treasury pressure Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent Tue 30 Apr 2024 12.23 EDT Last modified on Tue 30 Apr ...

  14. Cross-party peers and MPs call on government to reverse active travel cuts

    A 60-strong group of parliamentarians from all parties, have put their names to a letter calling for the recent cuts in England's active travel budget to be reversed. Earlier this year, the active travel budget was reduced by at least £200 million, about two thirds of the budget. Organisations opposed to the cuts were quick.

  15. DfT's active travel budget has 'more than halved'

    14 Mar, 2023By Thomas Johnson. The Department for Transport (DfT) has slashed £380M of the £710M promised in 2021 for the UK's active travel budget, claims the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW). In a statement written by secretary of state for transport Mark Harper last week, it was announced that £100M would be ...

  16. Stop the cuts to walking and cycling

    After much waiting, our case challenging active travel funding cuts finally made it to the High Court on 26th October. Mr Justice Jay, listened to our and the DfT's barristers, before ruling that our case was "potentially important" and should proceed on all three grounds of challenge. This is a significant hurdle, as many cases are ...

  17. Government Punctures Local Authorities Active Travel Plans

    Matt Winfield, Executive Director - England, Northern Ireland and Wales, at walking and cycling charity Sustrans explains the damage recent cuts to active travel funding will have. Buried in a written statement on 9th March, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP, announced that overall active travel funding for England in the current ...

  18. Cycling UK writes to prime minister as cycle lane funding cut by 75

    During this period, local authorities have slowly developed the staff expertise in implementing active travel measures. With the latest cuts, unlike in advanced manufacturing or major projects like HS2, this expert knowledge will not be retained and councils will have to start from scratch when funding returns. ... "Government should be ...

  19. Putin slashes Russia's space budget and says he expects better results

    For 2022, the state budget for space activities will be set at 210 billion rubles ($2.9 billion), a cut of 40.3 billion rubles ($557 million) from the previous year. Similar cuts will follow in ...

  20. Travel Budget for Moscow Visit Moscow on a Budget or Travel in Style

    Food Budget in Moscow Average Daily Costs. Calculated from travelers like you. While meal prices in Moscow can vary, the average cost of food in Moscow is $14 (₽1,315) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Moscow should cost around $5.74 (₽526) per person.

  21. Stop active travel funding cuts

    In a written statement on 9 March, the Transport Secretary announced that overall active travel funding for the current parliamentary term is being reduced from £3.8 billion to £3 billion. This includes a two-thirds cut to promised capital investment in infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling, from £308 million to only £100 million ...

  22. Moscow TV station could be victim of budget cuts

    Idaho Public Television's Moscow station could close within the year if the Idaho Legislature approves the lean state budget Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter proposed Monday.IdahoPTV is administered by the ...

  23. Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

    Day 6 - Explore the Golden Ring. Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a "theme route" devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

  24. Ukraine-Russia war: Latest updates

    Vladimir Putin has said he does not see the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons as set out in Russia's nuclear doctrine - but added he could not rule out a change to the doctrine.