THE NUMBER of early deaths could be slashed if the UK hit its walking and cycling targets, campaigners claim.

Sustrans, a charity that campaigns for sustainable transport, has said that over 8,000 premature deaths could be avoided if England hit government targets to double the number of cycle journeys taken by 2025 and boost walking.

Reacting to the figures, Swindon campaigners have called for more investment in “safe spaces” for cyclists.

Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign, which is working with the borough to improve cycling provision, said: “Cycling has so many benefits to individuals and to society as a whole.

“It is vital that we invest in creating safe spaces for walking and cycling.

"So many short journeys are driven because people simply don’t feel safe enough to ride a bike.

“Especially with electric bikes becoming widely available there is even more opportunity for people to swap four wheels for two.”

Sustrans say that the savings to the public purse of meeting cycling and walking targets could be as high as £5.67 billion over 10 years – with reduced costs to the NHS.

The figure has been calculated by Bristol-based consultancy Eunomia, who with Sustrans have released a new model for measuring the air quality improvements from slashing vehicle emissions by promoting walking and cycling.

Xavier Brice, chief executive for Sustrans, said: “At a time when road transport is responsible for the majority of air quality limit breaches in the UK, it has never been more important to reduce the number of motorised vehicles on our roads.

“The new findings reiterate that walking and cycling has a huge role to play in tackling the air quality crisis that causes tens of thousands of premature deaths every year.

"If we are to make a major modal shift, we need to provide a network of direct protected cycle routes on roads in addition to quieter routes across the UK.”

Ann Ballinger, lead modeller and air quality expert at Eunomia, added: “This is the first time that Sustrans’ data has been used alongside public health data to understand what impacts walking and cycling schemes have on an individual’s exposure to air pollution.

“Our analysis suggests investment in cycling and walking has considerable potential to improve local air pollution.”

For details about cycling and walking in Swindon, visit: www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk