Mayors gather to pledge national walking, wheeling and cycling network

A coalition of twelve of England’s Combined Authority Mayors have signed an ambitious joint statement with Ministers, pledging to create a national active travel network, enabling millions of happier, healthier and greener journeys from Berwick to Bristol. 

West Yorkshire’s Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire’s Oliver Coppard, York and North Yorkshire’s David Skaith, Hull and East Yorkshire’s Luke Campbell, the North East’s Kim McGuinness, the West of England’s Helen Godwin and the East Midlands’ Claire Ward met with National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, and the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, in York on July 1 to kickstart the plans. 

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: "I want South Yorkshire to be the healthiest region in the country. That’s why I'm putting neighbourhoods and schools at the heart of our plans, to make our region the best place for children to walk, wheel and cycle. To give every child the best start in life.

"Our shared commitment as Mayors, that we’ve discussed with government, strengthens our ability to deliver the safer neighbourhoods, healthier journeys, and more routes to opportunities we need – to make South Yorkshire a wealthier, happier, healthier, and better connected place for everyone."

As part of the agreement, the Mayors have committed to:

1. Work with the Department for Transport, Active Travel England and local authorities to create a country-wide national walking, wheeling and cycling network, comprising of local networks that are safe and easy to use. This will give their regions’ 20 million residents access to high quality, safe routes in their communities. 
2. Transform the school run by delivering high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods nationwide.  
3. Boost regional integrated transport networks by giving people easy walking, wheeling and cycling access to buses, trams and trains which will link to new housing and support local economic growth.

The initiative comes as recent research shows one in six early deaths could be prevented with regular moderate exercise. Meanwhile, a study from 2023/24 found that, in England, 35.8% of year 6 children were overweight or living with obesity, with 22.1% living with obesity.

Launching in Autumn 2025, the programme will begin with Mayoral Combined Authorities agreeing an initial network of 3,500 miles of safer routes connecting housing to schools and high streets, targeting areas where health and air quality are poorest, helping to reduce stark health inequalities. 

This will help more of their regions’ 20 million residents meet recommended activity levels, reducing risks of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression while supporting the Government’s Plan for Change by easing pressure on the NHS and boosting growth. The new routes and projects will focus on prevention rather than cure, by building health and wellbeing into everyday activities.

The multi-region project will begin work in around 1,000 schools, creating 300 safer routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling. 

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: