Encourage Cycling, Walking and Horse Riding in Wiltshire

After a two-hour debate involving more than 20 Wiltshire Councillors, the Council voted by 52 to 31 to reject a resolution encouraging cycling, walking and horse riding.

The surprise result comes as town and parish councils put forward over 200 new schemes to do just that. The government has also awarded the Council £900,000 to support these schemes.

Commenting on the outcome the motion's proposer‎ Cllr Dr Brian Mathew said "The mood of the public is clear. They want real action to make it safer and easier to cycle, ride and walk in our County, and particularly to work and shop. My resolution asked Wiltshire Council's leadership to do just that. Instead the Council's Conservative leadership said they had already done everything needed. Over 200 proposed new schemes from our community and massive public support for change says otherwise."

The Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Ian Thorn who spoke and voted for the resolution added

"All opposition councillors present at the meeting voted for the resolution as did one brave Conservative Councillor while two more abstained.

We need a green economic recovery to sustain existing and create new livelihoods and tackle the climate emergency. This sensible resolution provided leadership and mobilised support to encourage cycling, horse riding and walking.

It was a small but important step in the right, carbon neutral direction. The one we need to move in rapidly, but this Conservative Administration just do not get it."