£300 million for walking, cycling, and wheeling investment

A £300 million funding package by the government and Active Travel England (ATE) will go towards greener transport and making the UK more accessible for those on foot or on bikes.

There is £291 million funding available, with £222.5 million to local authorities to develop and roll out walking, wheeling, and cycling schemes, alongside community engagement and training. £30 million has gone towards Bikeability training for children, and another £30 million will be given to the Sustrans charity to improve the National Cycle Network, a UK-wide network of signed active travel routes. Finally £8.5 million will go towards Cycling UK, Living Streets and Modeshifts to install walking, wheeling, and cycling initiatives in schools and communities.

A recent report by Transport for Greater Manchester revealed that infrastructure upgrades are encouraging people to get out the house and into their own cities, with the number of people walking short journeys now is at 57 per cent, up from 52 per cent five years ago.

Millions of people will thus be able to benefit from 300 miles of new walkways and cycle lanes, and funding will also go towards helping children learn to cycle. The new changes will help more than 30 million more journeys on foot or by bike each year, as well as more than 20 million new school runs on foot by children and their parents. 

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation’s health, economy, and get to net zero, all in one.

“Free exercise, zero emissions, and no risk of getting stuck in traffic are benefits already being enjoyed as standard by our European neighbours and its time we had the same life-improving choices.

“This funding will help make our towns, cities, and villages happier, healthier, and greener places to live.”

Due to the benefits of exercise, funded cycle lanes and walkways will cause 43,000 fewer sick days each year, easing pressure off the busy NHS and helping people live longer and healthier.

This new infrastructure additionally boosts the economy by £9 million every year through supporting local businesses and making it easier to walk and cycle to work, all as part of the government’s Plan for Change to boost the economy and support its people.

Alongside this, ATE is also publishing its guidance to help councils ensure that local residents and businesses are heard when designing and delivering transport changes in neighbourhoods.

Minister for local transport, Simon Lightwood, said: “Walking and cycling is an affordable way to get around and is hugely beneficial for both mental and physical health. We’re making sure local authorities can deliver high-quality and easily accessible schemes for everyone.

“Investing in our national cycling and walking infrastructure is a key part of our mission for growth and today’s investment will not only provide better connectivity but boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS, helping us deliver our Plan for Change.”