For sheer brass neck, Caroline Lucas’s recent intervention on cycling really takes the biscuit. Both in The Argus (September 3) and in the Commons the night before, she welcomed new cycle facilities in Brighton, implying they were Green Party achievements while criticising the coalition Government for not doing “nearly enough”.
As she must know, improvements such as the cycle facilities at Brighton Station and the route along Lewes Road would not be happening were it not for the fact I have allocated millions to Brighton and Hove from the Department for Transport for these purposes.
As Adam Trimingham rightly points out (The Argus, September 4), “The Government has recognised the importance of cycling and has earmarked millions of pounds”.
Despite the economic backdrop, we are spending almost twice as much on cycling as the last Labour government did. It would be nice if Caroline Lucas acknowledged both this, and that a fair chunk of it is coming to Brighton and Hove.
The Lewes to Kingston cycle track also wouldn’t have happened without this Government.
If she wants to spend her time making political points, at least she should ensure they are accurate.
Norman Baker, Lib Dem MP for Lewes and transport minister
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