Major investment to gear up new walking, wheeling and cycling schemes

Neighbourhoods will benefit from new pedestrian crossings, safer streets around schools, walkways and cycle lanes thanks to over £6.6 million of new funding in South Yorkshire and £17.07 million in West Yorkshire to boost walking, wheeling and cycling. 

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: "I want South Yorkshire to become the healthiest region in the UK. Helping people to choose walking, wheeling, and cycling will help us make that happen.

That's why I'm so pleased about this increased investment from Government, which recognises long held commitment to Active Travel and means we can do more to make South Yorkshire a wealthier, happier, healthier, and safer place to live."

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “We’re already making great progress in improving walking, cycling, and wheeling in the region, and this funding will help us do even more.

“Active travel plays a key role in my plans for an integrated transport network across a better-connected West Yorkshire.

“By making it easier and more appealing to get around more actively, we’re promoting healthier lifestyles, improving safety and helping to tackle the climate emergency.”

The funding package announced today (12 February 2025) by the government and Active Travel England (ATE) will also allow the construction of improved crossings and junctions to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier, safer and better across the country. The investment will also help fund cycle training for hundreds of thousands of children.

In addition to today’s funding, ATE is publishing its guidance to help councils ensure that local residents and businesses are heard when designing and delivering transport changes in neighbourhoods.

The improvements will help people make 30 million more journeys by bike or foot every year, including more than 20 million new walk-to-school journeys by children and their parents.

Cycle lanes and walkways funded today will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year, due to the health benefits of increased active travel, easing pressure on the NHS and helping people live happier and healthier lives.

The new infrastructure will also add £9 million every year to the economy by supporting local businesses and making it easier to walk and cycle to work, as the government continues to deliver its Plan for Change.

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 it’s 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."

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."

In total, today’s £291 million funding package includes:

• £222.5 million to local authorities for the development and delivery of local walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, alongside community engagement and training
• £30 million to provide Bikeability cycle training to children
• £30 million to the Sustrans charity to deliver improvements to the National Cycle Network, a UK-wide network of signed active travel routes
• £8.5 million for Cycling UK, Living Streets and Modeshift to deliver walking, wheeling and cycling initiatives in schools and communities

In addition to providing this funding, ATE is dedicated to ensuring that new schemes are built faster and to a high quality that works best for their communities. With ATE expert advice, local authorities have completed active travel projects at more than twice the rate of other small transport schemes.