New Active Travel Investment to Boost Walking and Cycling in England
The UK government has unveiled a £300 million investment to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure, aiming to create 300 miles of new pathways and support community engagement.
The government has announced a substantial investment of almost £300 million to enhance active travel across England. This funding will create 300 miles of new footpaths and cycle tracks, encouraging an additional 30 million journeys each year by bike or foot.
The initiative, unveiled on 12 February 2025 by the government and Active Travel England (ATE), includes plans for improved crossings and junctions, making walking, wheeling, and cycling safer and easier. It also focuses on funding cycle training for hundreds of thousands of children.
New guidelines have been published to ensure that local councils involve residents and businesses in the design and delivery of transport projects in communities. The expected benefits include over 20 million new walk-to-school journeys and 43,000 fewer sick days annually, alleviating pressure on the NHS.
The initiative aims not only to improve public health but also to boost the local economy by £9 million each year by supporting local businesses and encouraging more active commuting.
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, highlighted the importance of making travel choices that improve health and reduce emissions, stating that this funding is essential for creating greener towns and cities.
Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the dual benefits of cycling and walking for both mental and physical health. The funding package consists of:
- £222.5 million to local authorities for active travel schemes, community engagement, and training
- £30 million for Bikeability cycle training for children
- £30 million to the Sustrans charity for National Cycle Network improvements
- £8.5 million for initiatives in schools and communities
As local authorities strive to build active travel solutions quickly and efficiently, there is a growing trend in residents opting for active travel methods for short journeys.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, stressed the importance of health benefits through active travel and mentioned the success of the Bee Network plan to connect 95% of residents to quality active travel routes.
Success metrics show that walking for short journeys has increased from 52% to 57% in the last five years, demonstrating the impact of previous infrastructure improvements.
