A new £291million investment has been launched by the Government to create 300 miles of new walkways and cycle lanes across England.
The investment, unveiled by Active Travel England (ATE), will transform local transport infrastructure with improved crossings and junctions to make active travel safer and more accessible.
The ambitious scheme aims to revolutionise how people move around their communities, with a particular focus on school journeys and commuting.
ATE is also releasing new guidance to ensure local councils properly consult with residents and businesses when implementing transport changes in their neighbourhoods.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing[email protected]
The new funding aims to persuade motorists to walk and cycle more
GETTY/PA
The new infrastructure is expected to enable 30 million more journeys by bike or foot annually, with more than 20 million of these will be new walk-to-school journeys by children and their parents.
The health benefits of increased active travel are projected to reduce sick days by 43,000 per year, helping to ease pressure on the NHS.
It is estimated that this could also deliver significant economic benefits, adding £9million annually to the economy by supporting local businesses.
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman emphasised the wide-ranging benefits of the initiative, saying that benefits could also be seen across Europe. He said: “It’s time we had the same life-improving choices.
“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.”
Local authorities will receive £222.5million for developing and delivering walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, alongside community engagement and training.
A further £30million will be dedicated to providing Bikeability cycle training to children and another £30million will go to the Sustrans charity to improve the National Cycle Network.
An additional £8.5million will be shared between Cycling UK, Living Streets and Modeshift to deliver active travel initiatives in schools and communities.
Active Travel England is working to ensure new schemes are implemented efficiently and to high standards, with particular emphasis on Manchester’s Bee Network.
Mayor Andy Burnham said the Bee Network aims to connect 95 per cent of residents to high-quality active travel routes within 400 metres.
He said: “We’re already seeing more people choose active travel over the car for short journeys.
“Stockport is the blueprint for what we want to deliver across Greater Manchester, focusing [on] new homes and regeneration around excellent public transport infrastructure in our town centres.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Manchester’s Bee Network has been highlighted as a suitable example to get drivers out of their cars
PA
“The more people we can persuade to leave the car at home, the more we will make the traffic flow and the roads better for everyone.”
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood will mark today’s funding announcement with a visit to Greater Manchester.
