The Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:

Colombia has come a long way in the last year towards consolidating the peace process. This is clearly evident in the transition of the FARC to political party and the passing of the safest elections in decades. The approval of UN Security Council resolution 2435 demonstrates that Colombia has global support for its work to a safer, more stable and prosperous future for all citizens.

The UN Political Mission in Colombia has played a vital role in maintaining cooperation by all parties, encouraging them to work together to first end the violence and to go on building the peace. I welcome the UN Security Council’s response to this request, made on behalf of both the Colombian Government and the FARC, to extend the UN Political Missions presence.

The UK is privileged to have worked closely with Colombia and with partners in the UN Security Council to ensure continued international support to Colombia’s peace process, which continues to inspire others globally.

Further information

Published 13 September 2018

Cyclists and pedestrians are set to benefit from a new traffic-free route, connecting Aylesbury Station and the National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor.

The Greenway Trail, funded by the Department for Transport, will allow cyclists and walkers to travel across beautiful countryside in a safe and vehicle-free environment.

This £1 million investment given to Buckinghamshire County Council – provided through the department’s ‘Cycling and walking investment strategy’ – will add to the hundreds of miles of cycle paths across England already paid for through the strategy.

Cycling and walking minister Jesse Norman said:

This kind of initiative is exactly why we launched our £1.2 billion cycling and walking investment strategy last year – a safe and easy way to get people on their bikes.

And why wouldn’t they – this stunning route intersects the rich Buckinghamshire countryside and lands at the historical Waddesdon Manor.

Cycling is becoming a popular activity for people of all ages — the last cycling statistics from the national travel survey show that number of cycling trips is currently 17 per person, per year.

The government’s ‘Cycling and walking investment strategy’ outlines the government’s ambition to make cycling and walking a natural choice for shorter journeys, or as part of longer journeys by 2040.

This project is the first one of its kind run by the cycle-rail working group as part of station ‘community links pilot project’.

Cyclists and pedestrians are set to benefit from a new traffic-free route, connecting Aylesbury Station and the National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor.

The Greenway Trail, funded by the Department for Transport, will allow cyclists and walkers to travel across beautiful countryside in a safe and vehicle-free environment.

This £1 million investment given to Buckinghamshire County Council – provided through the department’s ‘Cycling and walking investment strategy’ – will add to the hundreds of miles of cycle paths across England already paid for through the strategy.

Cycling and walking minister Jesse Norman said:

This kind of initiative is exactly why we launched our £1.2 billion cycling and walking investment strategy last year – a safe and easy way to get people on their bikes.

And why wouldn’t they – this stunning route intersects the rich Buckinghamshire countryside and lands at the historical Waddesdon Manor.

Cycling is becoming a popular activity for people of all ages — the last cycling statistics from the national travel survey show that number of cycling trips is currently 17 per person, per year.

The government’s ‘Cycling and walking investment strategy’ outlines the government’s ambition to make cycling and walking a natural choice for shorter journeys, or as part of longer journeys by 2040.

This project is the first one of its kind run by the cycle-rail working group as part of station ‘community links pilot project’.

The APF is the UK’s largest woodland and forestry related show and takes place between 20-22 September 2018 at the Ragley Estate in Warwickshire.

The Forestry Commission England marquee will celebrate 100 years of the Forestry Act and the Forestry Commission. Experts will be on hand to:

• provide advice and support to the forestry sector and landowners who are looking to create and manage woodland
• explore the benefits to people, wildlife and timber of the public forest estate
• provide information on tree pests and diseases and how to reduce the threat of them
• showcase Forest Research’s innovative science and research

Forestry Skills

The Forestry Commission, Royal Forestry Society and representatives from the new Forestry Apprenticeship Trailblazer group will also be in the Forest Workers’ Zone of APF to talk career development and how to break into the industry.

Seminars

An in-depth Forestry Commission seminar programme will run over the three day event, covering topics including future incentives, timber markets, woodland creation and plant health challenges.

More information about the APF can be found on the APF Exhibition website.

Published 13 September 2018