A new report on obesity unveiled this week by MPs underlines the importance of greener transport solutions in the city according to City of York Council.

The new House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report shows that obesity is claming 30,000 lives every year in England - with obesity reducing people's lifespan by around nine years.

The report also says that obesity costs the National Health Service £0.5 billion a year and drains the economy of £2 billion.

The MPs, who discovered that people are consuming more sugar and fat and are more sedentary than ever before, are calling for effective action at all levels of the NHS and government - a message backed today in York.

Councillor Dave Merrett, the council's executive member for planning and transport, said, "I'm quite shocked at how damaging obesity can be and yet the solutions are actually relatively simple and in our own hands.

"People can get more exercise by walking or cycling regularly for some of their journeys which reinforces the importance of our investment in safe cycle paths and better routes for pedestrians.

"National figures show that one in five adults are obese which means in York there are about 28,000 people at risk. Worryingly, the figure is rising at an accelerating rate. However, what appear to be very simple choices about transport can have far reaching effects on our lives."

York's cycle network passed the 100 kilometre mark this year. With the addition of the east-west route and new routes in the pipeline for Haxby to York and Monks Cross to York, cycling has the potential to become the first choice for more people. The council is also running a walking campaign outlining the personal health as well as environmental benefits of taking Shanks' pony.

The Government is also offering a helping hand to people who want to get more exercise and switch from driving to walking to work. Transport minister Sally Keeble and public health minister Yvette Cooper launched the new initiative today.

Yvette Cooper said, "Research has shown that walking and cycling can help many aspects of health including reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and some cancers, both key priorities in the NHS Plan.

"Walking or cycling all or part of the way to work can be convenient ways for people who want to increase their physical activity for health benefits. I hope this pack will be used as part of local physical activity plans, which will help to reduce coronary heart disease."

The council is also backing the government's 'Walk in to Work Out' campaign by sending information packs to all the employers it is working with on initiatives to reduce car commuting.

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Notes for Editors:

For further information on the report and new Government initiative please see the DTLR press releases site at www.press.dtlr.gov.uk/0201/0007.htm