Fresh funding to deliver 70 miles of new or improved cycling routes in England

Government agency Active Travel England has announced a fresh wave of funding from the British government, totalling £101 million and dedicated to walking and cycling routes across England. The funding promises to deliver around 70 miles of new or improved cycling routes and introduce cycling as an option to millions more people.

Further to this, £2.4 million of that kitty will be devoted to cycling authorities and Cycling UK to deliver e-cycle loan programmes across the country. These loan schemes will be free of use and come after a successful national trial that saw participants take part in a month-long e-cycle loan.

The new e-cycle schemes will be rolled out to residents and businesses in Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Leicester, Dunstable and Luton.

"We’re committed to ensuring people can travel in the way that works best for them, which is why we’re investing over £100 million for over 100 kilometres of new walking and cycling routes, improved access to our national parks, and e-cycle loan schemes," said Roads Minister, Guy Opperman.

"This funding is not just an investment in new infrastructure, but in communities that will benefit from the social mobility and health benefits that improved and new walking and cycling routes will bring."

Active Travel England promises that the new initiatives will be particularly focused in deprived or rural areas, with almost half of the funding devoted to deprived communities.

Improved cycling routes to National Parks

Making travel easier by foot or by bike is clearly the aim here, and alongside new and improved cycle routes from Southampton to the North East, particular emphasis has been placed on the links between urban areas and rural National Parks.

Currently, nine in 10 journeys to National Parks are undertaken in a car, with more than 90 million people visiting National Parks each year. Active Travel England, notably including the National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman, is committed to addressing this issue.

£1 million of the funding is promised to National Parks, in a bid to further encourage improved infrastructure for journeys by foot or bike, in light of the climate crisis.

"Credit to Active Travel England for reaching out to National Park Authorities," said David Butterworth, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Cycling Lead for England’s National Parks. "We are now working together to develop improved guidance to rural local authorities and initiate and deliver some fantastic projects to improve walking and cycling opportunities for millions of people.

"This new funding will make a real difference to the delivery of our ambitions around improving the health and wellbeing of the nation and providing the greater travel opportunities that are needed to reduce our carbon emissions."

Detailing the breakdown of the funding in their announcement, Active Travel England made note that the new investment will not include London, with the London boroughs having their own devolved budget.

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