New version of The Highway Code to be published

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a new version of The Highway Code will be published in the autumn.

Changes will include: a hierarchy of road users that aims to ensure road users who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others; and a strengthened pedestrian priority on pavements and when crossing or waiting to cross the road.

It will also contain guidance on safe passing distances and speeds and ensuring that cyclists have priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.

The overhaul of The Highway Code is part of a £338 million package to fuel active travel, announced on Friday (July 30).

Infrastructure upgrades, the changes to The Highway Code and new requirements to ensure that active travel schemes’ effects are properly assessed are among the raft of measures included in a new Summer of Cycling and Walking document.

Independent opinion polling and new research also published by the DfT shows that active travel schemes are supported, on average, by a ratio of two-to-one.

As the UK prepares to host COP26 later this year, these initiatives will play a key role in the Government’s drive to build back greener from the pandemic and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, says DfT.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps explained: “Millions of us have found over the past year how cycling and walking are great ways to stay fit, ease congestion on the roads and do your bit for the environment.

“As we build back greener from the pandemic, we’re determined to keep that trend going by making active travel easier and safer for everyone.

“This £338m package marks the start of what promises to be a great summer of cycling and walking, enabling more people to make those sustainable travel choices that make our air cleaner and cities greener.”

This announcement aims to build on the Prime Minister’s £2 billion gear change cycling and walking programme, which was announced one year ago.

As well as improving safety for cyclists, the Government is also aiming to make cycling easier and more accessible through a new scheme aiming to increase awareness of e-cycles and tackle barriers to their use.

An e-cycle support programme will be launched later this year and comes after the government has already provided funding to help 9 local authorities deliver e-cycle initiatives.

Other key measures included in the Summer of Cycling and Walking include plans to publish a new road safety strategic framework.

The Government has also announced today that the new Active Travel England (ATE) commissioning body, which will hold the national cycling and walking budget, will begin work later this year.