British Cycling has welcomed today’s announcement from Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, that £500,000 is to be invested into cycling facilities in Yorkshire.
The funding comes as part of a wider £800,000 package to help promote the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire.
The deputy prime minister made the announcement as part of his plans to improve cycling and tourism in Yorkshire and committed £500,000 of funding directly to British Cycling as a contribution to constructing a number of closed road circuits across the county.
The facilities will provide a superb traffic-free environment for competitive and recreational cyclists who want to take part in the sport. The move will provide sites that will help increase cycling participation in the region, which is currently preparing to stage the first ever Tour de Yorkshire in May, following a successful hosting of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart.
British Cycling CEO, Ian Drake, welcomed today’s announcement.
Ian Drake said: “British Cycling has a proven record of delivering good value for investment in cycling facilities so today's announcement by Deputy Prime Minister is great news for the sport and great news for Yorkshire.
“Expanding the network of traffic free cycling facilities has been a key ambition for British Cycling and we are continually supporting and investing in projects to offer cycling opportunities for all.
“Traffic free facilities are vital to increasing participation in cycling and we will continue to work with funding partners to support projects, large and small, nationwide.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said:
“Yorkshire wore the yellow jersey with pride last year, with an incredible staging of the Tour de France Grand Depart. The Tour de Yorkshire this summer is the perfect opportunity to build on this lasting legacy, attracting visitors again, which in turn will boost business in the region.
“Through my Northern Futures initiative, we have already announced £10 million to back proposals for a co-ordinated tourism strategy in the North. This further funding will ensure the Tour de Yorkshire gets international attention on a grand scale, whilst investment for new facilities will help the sport grow so that everyone can enjoy cycling.”
Minister for Sport and Tourism, Helen Grant, also welcomed the announcement.
Helen Grant said: “British Cycling has been a great success story in recent years and I want the sport to continue to grow at all levels. This funding will not only strengthen cycling in Yorkshire but also promote the area to tourists through the first Tour de Yorkshire this Spring.”
