West secures £12m for active travel

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority will receive more than £11.7 million in government funding to help them deliver walking, wheeling and cycling schemes.

A full breakdown of funding allocations has been published by Active Travel England (ATE) today (Wednesday 10 December) alongside each authority’s capability rating, which measures their ability to organise, plan and deliver walking, wheeling and cycling schemes.

Higher-rated authorities will receive greater proportions of capital funding, whilst lower-rated authorities will be given extra training, support and guidance to help them boost their ability to deliver more ambitious schemes. This approach ensures that provision for walking, wheeling and cycling is increasingly high quality, connected and safe across the country.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is among nine authorities across England to increase their rating this year, moving from level 2 to level 3.

The multi-year funding is part of a £626 million national package for walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, which was initially announced as part of the Spending Review in June.

It is enough to deliver 500 miles of new and upgraded footpaths and cycle track across England as well as 170,000 greener, more active trips per day, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change missions on public health, safer streets and economic renewal.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“The West Country is getting out of the slow lane. The wheels are turning and we’re catching up with other regions. This summer, Chris Boardman saw some of what our part of the world is already delivering to make it easier for people to get around.

“I’m delighted that Active Travel England now see us as a top-rated regional authority – like Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and West Yorkshire. We know that active travel is good for our health and good for our planet, so being empowered to make those choices easier remains important.

“That means more money for improving walking, wheeling, and cycling routes across the West, with £12 million over the next four years to invest in things like School Streets. It adds to the record transport funding that we secured from the government in the Spending Review, which will see better buses, more trains, and mass transit plans, and last week’s three-year Bus Grant.”

National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said:

“The aim of Active Travel England is to give people more every-day choice in how they get around, by creating safe, accessible and welcoming streets. 

“Our innovative funding approach is proving effective, consistently raising the ability of local authorities to deliver the level of quality needed to achieve that ambition. This is evidenced by nine authorities improving their capability rating this year, showing what’s possible when investment and levels of support are carefully tuned to local needs. 

“We are not just building infrastructure — together, we are creating communities: places where parents feel confident letting children travel independently, and where older people can reach local shops with ease. We are building life back into our streets.” 

Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood said:

“This £626 million investment demonstrates our clear commitment to making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible for everyone. By backing councils with the funding and support they need, we are helping to create healthier communities, safer streets and greener local transport choices. 

“It is especially encouraging to see nine councils improve their capability rating this year, reflecting real progress and dedication across the country. Together, we are delivering the high-quality infrastructure that enables people to travel more actively, helping cut NHS waiting lists.” 

The funding allocated today will deliver greater choice in how people travel, creating safer, healthier journeys and boosting economic growth.

The £626 million national package includes £21.6 million for future uplifts, allowing for top-ups in 2026/7 for high-performing councils and to help fund emerging priorities.

Notes

• click to open in a new windowThe Mayor joined Chris Boardman, Professor Chris Whitty, and other Mayors pledged to work towards a national walking, wheeling, and cycling network
• click to open in a new windowChris Boardman visited Bristol in July – click to open in a new windowafter £3.5 million regional funding was approved for active travel projects, including £250,000 for six new School Streets to make pick-up and drop-off times safer
• click to open in a new windowConstruction started on Bath Quays Links active travel scheme this autumn – with £4.7 million of regional investment
• click to open in a new windowSchool children celebrate new crossing in south of Bath
• click to open in a new window4km of sustainable travel improvements, including green cycle lanes, completed along the A4174 in South Gloucestershire in October
• This funding is on top of the click to open in a new window£752 million secured through Transport for City Regions in June, and click to open in a new window£42 million confirmed for buses last week

Original press release by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.